Here are five common-sense techniques and strategies to solve common computer hardware problems.
(1) Trial-and-error
Personal computers are highly modular by design. The most powerful trouble-shooting technique is to isolate the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Swap compatible components and see if the system still works. Try different peripherals on different machines and see if the same problem occurs. Make one change at a time.
(2) "It's the cable, s-----."
More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card and sound card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" during transportation.
(3) Don't be frustrated!
Don't be afraid of computer problems. It is often the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine the satisfaction you could get by solving a problem yourself.
Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you are frustrated and have spent too much time on the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it's time to leave it for a while and go back with some new ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of thumb: You shouldn't spend more than three hours on the same problem at one time.
(4) Take notes!
Take notes of what you have done and all the error messages. You may need to use them later. For instance, when you see an unusual blue screen with an error message, copy the entire message onto a piece of paper. In many situations, that message may point to the right direction in getting the problem solved quickly.
(5) Take a look?
It's OK to open a computer case and take a look inside. There is only 5V and 12V DC voltage supplied to the components outside the power supply. Those who have never seen the inside of a computer are often amazed by how simple it looks. Of course, still always power down and unplug the power cord first.
Troubleshooting Tips for New Monitors
Here are some basic trouble shooting tips for new monitors:- The picture does not appear
- Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
- Check to see if the computer system's power is ON.
- Check that the Brightness Control is at the appropriate position, not at the minimum.
- The Screen is not synchronized
- Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
- Check that the output level matches the input level of your computer.
- Make sure the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
- The position of the screen is not in the center
- Adjust the H-Size, H-Phase or V-Size, V-Center controls.
- Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
- The screen is too bright or too dark
- Check if the Brightness or contrast control is at the appropriate position, not at the maximum or minimum.
- Check if the specified voltage is applied
- Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
- Especially, check the horizontal frequency.
- The screen is shaking
- Move all objects that emit a magnetic field, such as a motor or transformer, away from the monitor.
- Check if the specified voltage is applied.
- Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor
How to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program
Important If you follow these steps on a hard disk that is not empty, all the data on that hard disk is permanently deleted. We recommend that you back up your hard disk before you follow these steps.
To partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program:
1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, or insert the first Windows XP Setup disk into the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.
Note To start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM (or from the startup disk), your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM drive, the DVD-ROM drive, or the floppy disk drive. In some cases, you may have to modify your computer's BIOS settings to set this configuration. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive, the DVD-ROM drive, or the floppy disk drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.
2. If you are starting the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do this.
Note If your hard disk controller requires a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver, press F6 to specify the driver.
For additional information about how to use F6 to supply a third-party OEM device driver while the Windows Setup program is running, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
314859 Limited OEM driver support is available with F6 during Windows XP Setup If you are starting from the Windows XP Setup disks, insert each of the additional disks when you are prompted, and then press ENTER to continue after you insert each disk.
3. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
5. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.
6. All the existing partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition by using unpartitioned space. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining unpartitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.
Note If you want to create a partition where one or more partitions already exist, you must first delete the existing partition or partitions, and then create the new partition.
7. Type the size in megabytes (MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.
8. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to create additional partitions if you want them.
9. If you want to install Windows XP, use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER. If you do not want to format the partition and install Windows XP, press F3 two times to quit the Windows Setup program, and then do not follow the remaining steps. In this case, you must use a different utility to format the partition.
10. Select the format option that you want to use for the partition, and then press ENTER. You have the following options:
The option to leave the current file system intact is not available if the selected partition is a new partition. The FAT file system option is not available if the selected partition is more than 32 gigabytes (GB). If the partition is larger than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT32 file system (you must press ENTER to confirm). If the partition is smaller than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT16 file system.
Based on Seagate IDE hard drives.
If you have installed your drive and it does not function properly, perform the following basic checks:
Warning: Always turn off the computer before changing jumpers or unplugging cables and cards. Wear a ground strap or use other antistatic precautions while working on your computer or handling your drive.
- Verify compatibility. Verify that the host adapter and drive are appropriately matched to each other and to your computer. Refer to the relevant documentation for details.
- Check all cards. Verify that all cards are seated in their slots on the motherboard and secured with mounting screws.
- Check all connectors and cables. Make sure all ribbon and power cables are securely connected. Ribbon cables are easily damaged, especially at the connector. Try a new cable that you know is good. Make sure no connector pins are bent. Verify that pin 1 on the interface cable is aligned with pin 1 on the drive and host adapter (see Figure 2 on page 6).
- Verify jumper settings. Review the instructions in this guide and in your host adapter installation guide. Make sure all appropriate jumpers are installed or removed as necessary.
- Check your power-supply specifications. Each time you add a new device to your computer, make sure your cornputer's internal power supply can support the total power demand. If necessary, consult your dealer for a new power supply.
- Verify the drive-type settings in the system setup program. The drive-type settings in the system BIOS must not exceed the physical specifications of your drive. Also, the settings must not exceed the limitations set by the operating system and BIOS.
- Check for viruses. Before you use someone else's diskette in your system for the first time, scan the diskette for viruses.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If you have performed the preceding basic checks but the problem persists, follow these guidelines for troubleshooting specific cases:
- After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.
- The screen remains blank when you power up the system.
- The system does not recognize the drive.
- The dealer partitioned and formatted the drive for you in the store, but the drive does not respond when you install it.
- The system hangs in FDISK or fails to create or save the partition record.
- The system error message, "Drive not Ready," appears.
- The FDISK error message, "No Fixed Disk Present," appears.
- The drive does not format to full capacity.
- The DOS message "Disk Boot Failure," "Non-System Disk" or "No ROM Basic - SYSTEM HALTED" appears.
- The system error message, "HDD controller failure" appears.
Check your computer manual or BIOS manufacturer to determine whether your BIOS supports drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. If your system has this limitation, use the following procedure to configure your computer:
- Turn off your computer, open the case, and remove your new drive.
CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge damage to your computer or hard drive, make sure you are well grounded before touching the drive, cable, connector or jumpers. - Move the jumper on the alternate-capacity jumper, as shown in Figure 6. This causes the drive to appear to your BIOS as having a 2.1-Gbyte capacity (4,092 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors per track). You may need third-party partitioning software, such as Disk Manager, to achieve full capacity of the drive.
- Remount your drive in the computer and replace the computer cover.
- Insert a bootable system diskette into drive A and turn on the computer. It should boot from drive A and automatically detect the new drive as a 2.1 -Gbyte drive.
- Insert your DiscWizard diskette into drive A and type A:XDM. Then press ENTER. This runs the Disk Manager program.
- Follow the Disk Manager instructions to install the dynamic drive overlay and to partition and format your new drive to its full capacity.
- After Disk Manager is done, reboot your system. You should see the Disk Manager banner and be able to access the full capacity of your new drive.
If the steps listed above do not remedy this problem, try the following:
- Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
- Check all cards.
- Make sure the video card is seated in its slot and secured with mounting screws.
- Turn off the computer and remove the drive host adapter. If the screen turns on after you reboot, the host adapter may be incompatible or defective. If so, see your dealer.
- Check all cables.
- Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
- Reboot the computer and listen to make sure the drive motor starts up. If the drive is very quiet, it may be difficult to hear its discs reach operating speed. If the drive motor does not start up, recheck all drive cables.
- Verify that for each drive, a drive-type is listed in the system setup program.
- Try rebooting your computer by pressing the CTRL, ALT and DELETE keys simultaneously. If the drive is recognized after you reboot the system, the computer BIOS test may be completing before the drive is ready.
One solution is to slow the processor speed during startup. If your computer has a turbo switch, set it to slow speed before turning the computer on. If there is no turbo switch, you may be able to use keyboard commands; see your computer manual for details. After the computer is up and running, return the processor to the fast speed.
Another solution is to warm-boot your computer after every power-on. - Check for I/O address conflicts. To isolate the conflict, verify that the drive and host adapter are compatible with your computer. Turn off the computer and remove all the peripheral adapter cards except for the video card and host adapter. If the computer recognizes the drive when you reboot the computer, turn off the computer. Reinstall the other peripheral cards, one at a time, until the conflict reoccurs. After you have isolated the source of the address conflict, you can resolve the conflict by changing the 1/0 address of the peripheral that appears to cause the conflict.
- If Disk Manager has installed the DDO on your hard drive and you have booted directly from a diskette, the information in the boot record for the drive may not have been loaded. Make sure there is no diskette in drive A and reboot. If you want to boot from the diskette, follow the "Booting with a Diskette" instructions under "Advanced Disk Manager Options" on page 20.
- Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.
- Check all cables.
- Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
- Make sure the DOS or Windows version the dealer used to partition and format the drive is the same version you have installed in your computer. If it isn't, see your dealer.
- Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program. You must install the drive using the same drive-type values your dealer used to partition the drive.
- Check for 1/0 address conflicts between peripheral cards.
- Check for viruses.
- Check all cables.
- Your setup system diskette may be corrupted. Try using a backup diskette.
- Make the partitions smaller.
- Change the interrupt jumper setting on the host adapter.
- Some BIOS have a Track 0 protection feature that protects Track 0 from viruses. This may cause FDISK to hang the system. You must disable this feature in the system setup program before you can use FDISK. See your computer reference guide for assistance. Be sure to re-enable this important feature when FDISK is done.
- Check all cable connections. Make sure pin 1 of the drive is connected to pin 1 of the hard-disc controller or host adapter.
- Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
- Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.
- Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
- Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program.
- Check for 1/0 address conflicts.
- Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program. One of the following problems may have occurred:
- The values may be set with an incorrect translation characteristic.
- You may have entered a parameter value that exceeds the physical capacity of the drive.
- You entered a translation characteristic that does not take full advantage of the drive's capacity.
- The drive's physical specifications exceed the translation limits imposed by the BIOS.
CAUTION: If you change the drive-type values in the system setup program, you must partition and format the drive again. This erases data on the drive. - If you have partitioned the drive into individual logical drives, you may need to make the partitions smaller to access the full drive capacity.
- If your computer supports LBA mode, you may need to enable LBA mode in the system setup program to access the full capacity of the drive. Refer to your computer's reference guide to find out how to enable LBA.
- Your computer may not support drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. Follow the instructions on page 25 for After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.
- Reinstall the DOS system files using the DOS SYS utility.
- Check all cables.
- Use FDISK to verify that the primary partition is active.
- Check for viruses.
No comments:
Post a Comment