Troubleshooting a Broken Computer

When computers fail, we are helpless. Sometimes, the failure is due to a virus attack. However, other hardware failures could be the source of the problem. With new computers, some simple hardware component replacements fix ailing computers. These are simple replacements that anyone can do with a screwdriver and patience. The failed component to replace is the power supply, the hard disk drive, or a forgotten CD or DVD drive. This article helps you determine the source of the computer failure so that if it is a simple problem, you can repair your computer. Alternatively, you would know when to have a professional help you improve your computer after the problem is identified.

Let us start from scratch. In this case, we have our malfunctioning computer powered off. The first step is to power it on and observe. When the power button is hit, do lights light up on the computer? Some lights light when power is applied on both tower computers and laptop computers. A good idea is to take a picture of your computer when it is running properly, so it helps you remember how it looks, what lights are lighted, and the color of the lights. A green or blue light often indicates good power to the computer. Orange lights indicate a malfunction and suggest that the computer has power somewhere.

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When there are no lights, the power supply is likely to be the source of the failure. Laptop external transformers can be tested and replaced. They run under $100, and there are aftermarket replacements. The next test for a laptop and a desktop computer is to use a new external laptop transformer or a new power supply to test the failed power supply.

Power supplies for desktop computers are available online and from local stores. They also cost around $100. A new collection must not be installed in a computer to test the power supply. Just lay the laptop on its side with the chassis open, place the new power supply on top of the old power supply, disconnect the old connector at a time, and connect the equivalent connector into the computer one power supply connector at a time. Once the new power supply is connected, try powering on the computer. This tests the power supply.

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A new power supply that provides more watts is fine. This means a 500 W power supply can replace a 300 W one. It is best not to reduce power supply wattage (replace a 500 W power supply with a 300 W power supply), but it is OK to increase it. When the connector is not plugged in precisely correctly, power connections to floppy disk drives can easily short out the power supply. If the computer does not turn on, then disconnect the floppy drive power and try with the floppy drive power disconnected. Finally, all power supply connections are keyed and have a connector clip. Make sure the connector clip is lined up correctly when connecting the power connectors.

If the new transformer does not fix the laptop’s computer power, you can return the laptop to the manufacturer for repairs or buy a new laptop. If you buy a new laptop, the data can be removed from the old laptop’s hard disk drive and moved to the new laptop’s hard disk drive. With a desktop PC, un-bolt the old power supply and bolt in the new one. Replacing the power supply in a computer is cleaner and easier than replacing the spark plugs in a car.

Now, let us return to our troubleshooting. The next possible error indication is that the computer does not boot and there is no display. Monitors have a light on the bottom right. The computer sends a video signal to the monitor when this light is green. If the light is large, the computer does not send a video signal to the monitor.

When no video signal is sent to the monitor, it indicates that the problem resides in the computer hardware. This suggests that we look inside the computer and check the Main Logic Board (MLB) capacitors (round tower-like components that stick up from the MLB). Main Logic Boards fail when they are five years or older due to the capacitors on the MLB failing. The capacitors burst to cause a complete failure of the MLB. When this occurs, the solution is to purchase a new computer.

When a computer is first powered on, it typically displays the BIOS setup information before starting Windows. This information should flash briefly on the monitor as the computer starts. When it does, it shows that the computer and display are operating properly. After this display, Windows can boot to a black or blue screen. It is sometimes referred to as the “blue screen of death.” In either case, there is no starting Windows. This error points to a failed hard disk drive. It typically means that the computer is working fine, but the disk drive has failed to provide the computer needed to start Windows. Because you cannot boot into Windows, testing the disk drive is impossible. In this event, the disk drive must be removed from the computer and attached to another Windows computer for testing. The disk drive test command in Windows is CHKDSK /R. When this command is run in Windows, it tests the disk drive, corrects any data corruption on the disk drive, and determines if there are physical errors.

Physical drive errors are indicated by any number greater than zero in the bad sectors test results report. When material errors or bad sectors are reported, your disk drive has cancer. While the industry is not dead, it should be replaced immediately, and the data should be copied to the new campaign. Continued use of a drive with bad sectors risks losing all the data on the industry. The difficult part of replacing a hard disk is copying all the data from the old drive to the new one. Some programs permit imaging of the entire hard disk drive onto a new one. If an image is successfully created and then copied to a new disk drive, the Windows computer often returns to normal operation as though nothing has happened.

In some cases, when the Windows data is placed on a new disk drive, Windows still fails to start. In this event, installing Windows over Windows for Windows XP or a fresh copy of Windows for Windows 7 typically fixes the problem. To establish a completely new copy of Windows in either case (Windows XP or Windows 7) while preserving the data on the disk drive, it is only necessary to delete the Windows folder from the drive on which the fresh copy of Windows is to be installed. It is also a good idea to rename the Documents and Settings or the Users folders to preserve the data contained in them.

This completes the basic PC hardware troubleshooting procedure. When a computer boots into Windows and still has problems, it is likely a software issue. Software issues are commonly resolved by reinstalling Windows or removing viruses and little-use software from the computer. A complete procedure for removing viruses and spyware is beyond what I can present in this article. Detailed virus removal and spyware procedures are covered in my “Pete The Nerd’s Do It Yourself Virus Removal” book. The goal of this article was to get you started troubleshooting your PC and give you some idea of the next effective steps to pursue so that you may return your PC to normal operation.

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Alcohol scholar. Bacon fan. Internetaholic. Beer geek. Thinker. Coffee advocate. Reader. Have a strong interest in consulting about teddy bears in Nigeria. Spent 2001-2004 promoting glue in Pensacola, FL. My current pet project is testing the market for salsa in Las Vegas, NV. In 2008 I was getting to know birdhouses worldwide. Spent 2002-2008 buying and selling easy-bake-ovens in Bethesda, MD. Spent 2002-2009 marketing country music in the financial sector.