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richardrrr.blogspot.com

MODULE 4:

DIAGNOSE AND

TROUBLESHOOT

COMPUTER SYSTEMS (DT)

Content Standard Performance Standard

The learner demonstrates understanding of the underlying concepts and principles on diagnosing and troubleshooting of computer systems.

The learner independently diagnoses

and troubleshoots computer systems

as prescribed in the TESDA Training

Regulation.

Number of Sessions (Time Allotment): 60 hrs.

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In this module, there will be four (4) major topics that you will

encounter: (1) be plan and prepare diagnosis of computer system errors;

(2) diagnose and configure computer systems and networks; (3) inspect and

test the configured computer systems and networks; and (4) test systems and

networks. The four major topics contains sub-topics which all leads to

diagnose and troubleshoot computer systems. This module contains what

to KNOW, what to PROCESS, what to REFLECT and UNDERSTAND as well

as what to TRANSFER. The competencies for this module are:

LO 1. Plan and prepare for diagnosis of computer systems errors

Follow OHS procedures in planning and preparing diagnosis of computer systems errors

Determine the computer systems errors using manual and software diagnosis

LO 2. Diagnose and configure computer systems and networks

Follow OHS procedures in planning and preparing diagnosis of computer systems and network errors

Identify the diagnosed computer systems and network errors based on the job requirements

Configure computer systems and networks

LO 3. Inspect and test the configured computer systems and networks

Follow OHS procedures in inspecting and testing configured computer systems and networks

Inspect configured computer systems and networks

Replace defective components

Reinstall defective computer systems

Identify network errors

Repair network errors based on standard procedures

Test the configured computer systems and networks

LO 4. Test Systems and Networks

Follow OHS procedures in testing systems and networks

Test computer systems and networks in accordance with the job requirements

Accomplish technical reports on the tests conducted

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In order to master the above listed competencies, you must be

knowledgeable of the topics under what to KNOW, perform activities required

under what to PROCESS, accomplish additional meaningful tasks under what

to REFLECT and UNDERSTAND and finally show some evidences of your

learning by transferring what you have learned in a different context under

what to TRANSFER.

You will be challenged to dig deeper into your prior knowledge and

previous experiences about computer hardware servicing.

Instruction:

Read each of the statements in the left-hand column of the chart.

Place a check on the column that indicates your answers.

Knowledgeable Have a Little

Knowledge

No Knowledge

at All

Plan and prepare work to ensure occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures are followed

Obtain materials, tools, equipment and testing devices needed to conform with job requirements

Interpret work instructions according to job requirements

Obtain computer components/devices/systems and determines its location prior to installation

Install equipment/devices/systems in accordance with job requirements

Check/Test devices/systems and/or installations to determine the conformity to job requirements.

Check computer systems and networks for configuration in accordance with specifications

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and requirements

Diagnose fault or problem in the computer systems and networks in line with standard operating procedures (SOP)

Configure the identified systems and networks based on specifications and job requirements

Inspect and test configured computer systems and networks in conformity with manufacturer's instructions/manual

Correct/adjust components or parts of computer systems and networks in accordance with job requirements

Test computer systems and networks to ensure safe operation

Perform scheduled/periodic maintenance in accordance with manufacturer's requirements

Make needed repairs/replacements in accordance with established procedures, when necessary

Document tasks undertaken in accordance with SOP

Clean and clear worksite of all surplus/excess materials in accordance with company SOP

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LESSON 1: PLAN AND PREPARE FOR DIAGNOSIS OF COMPUTER

SYSTEMS ERRORS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Personal Protective Equipment

Proper preparation is the key to a successful work. Before you begin,

make sure that you have the tools you will need, and secure a clear well-lit

workplace. Gather all

same time. Always keep in mind that personal protection is one of the traits of

a good computer technician.

Types of personal protective devices

1. Anti-static devices

2. Power surge protectors

3. Personal equipment

Anti-static devices

Devices designed to protect the computer from static electricity.

Source: www.desktopreality.com

Anti-static Wrist Strap

Source: www.desktopreality.com

Anti-static Mat

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Source: www.desktopreality.com

Anti-static Bag

Source: www.rapidonline.com

Anti-static Spray

Power surge protectors

Devices designed to protect the computer from sudden power surges

from intermittent power sources.

Examples:

1. AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator)

Source: www.neopower.com

2. UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)

Source: www.amazon.co.uk

http://www.neopower.com/http://www.amazon.co/

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Personal Equipment

small paint brush

screw drivers

pliers and tweezers

compressed air

handheld vacuum

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Directions: Perform the activity below.

Choose a partner

Do a simulation exercise

o One will act out the role of a computer teacher.

o The other will be the student

Situation: Computer teacher will show/demonstrate to the students the

Personal Protective Devices, what they are and how they are used.

The Student keeps on asking about the Personal Protective

Devices/Equipment and how they can be maintained in good condition

of PC.

Answer the following questions in your own answer/test notebook.

1. What personal protective devices do people who always works (do

troubleshooting) with computers commonly use? How often do they

use them?

2. Computers should be protected from static electricity to prevent

component malfunction. What anti-static devices can you utilize to

avoid such malfunction?

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TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEM ERROR

There are several errors in a computer from the point you open it upto the

point you reach the stand by window (reaching standby windows means boot

process has no error). Below is a list of computer errors.

1. No Video Output - When you open your PC, nothing shows up in your

monitor and the LED indicator of your monitor is flashing in yellow color.

2. No Video Output - Same as number one but now the LED indicator of your

monitor is in steady orange color.

3. Doesn't Boot - When you open your PC it will show the processor brand

and/or the motherboard brand but doesn't continue. Usually this error will

result to system restart over and over again.

4. Never Ending Loading of Operating system - The computer opens up then

boots but when the operating system loads it, doesn't continue and it will take

a longtime if you're going to wait for it to load.

5. Lots of pop up windows showing on standby mode - This also happens

even if you try disconnecting your computer set from the internet. This is what

we called aftershock virus which will continue to run even if internet is

disconnected.

6. Lots of hardware installation windows appear - This happens even if you try

installing the hardware. When you restart your set it will happen again.

7. Safe mode doesn't work - When you try going to safe mode, all you will see

is a list of files in Command prompt style.

8. Keyboard and mouse system restart - This will happen only in standby

mode, when you move your mouse or type something, your system will

automatically restart and the worst part is it will delete a file at random.

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9. Sound on/off error - Upon loading the operating system, you will hear a

loading sound and then the sound stops, when you try running an audio file,

no sound will be heard.

10. Application causes system to restart - Just like the mouse problem, when

you open a program that will take the whole screen like for example a game

and/or a program applications, when you close it, it will cause your system to

restart.

Aside from the common computer errors, computers also can have

different Operating System (OS) errors. OS errors can be classified into

various categories such as:

1. System errors These are moderately dangerous types of errors

among those that can pop up on your PC. System errors are caused

by malfunctioning hardware components, corrupted operating system

modules, etc.

2. Runtime errors Runtime errors are caused by corrupted or

malfunctioning system files or software executables. Most runtime

errors cause the application that caused it to shut down. However,

more serious runtime errors may cause the system to become

unstable or unresponsive, suggesting that you should restart your

computer.

3. Stop errors Stop errors are caused by corrupted hardware,

especially malfunctioning RAM modules and bad sectors on hard

disks. Stop errors can be difficult to resolve at times.

4. Device Manager Errors These are usually caused by corrupted

driver files or malfunctioning hardware components. In case of the

former cause, the problem is often solved by reinstalling or updating

the drivers. However, the latter cause can often be solved only by

replacing hardware components.

5. POST code errors POST code errors are caused by malfunctioning

hardware components, and are characterized by short beep sounds

from the tiny internal speaker of your motherboard. POST code errors

occur when you press the power button to turn on your PC.

6. Application errors These can happen at any point of time. As the

name suggests, these are caused by applications while those are

running. These are commonly caused by glitches in the program code

itself. These are normally resolved by updating the program to its latest

version.

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7. Browser Status Codes These are caused by problems faced by

browsers when trying to access a website. These can be caused by

misplaced web pages in the server of the website itself, or due to

connection problems. For instance, a 404 error would indicate that the

browser is trying to access a webpage that does not exist in the

specified location.

DIAGNOSING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

PC Diagnosing

Probably the most frustrating problem computer users

run into are startup problems, where your computer

you

process. In this module, you will be given a few tips on

how you can avoid some of the most common problems

that happen right after your computer is turned on. Here

you will learn the basic troubleshooting.

Trial and error: When you find a faulty component in your computer,

check it with the other computers so that you can make sure whether

the fault is in the component or not.

Check cables: In case of any device failure, check all the cables of

your computer such as data cables, power cable, internal circuitry

cable and make sure that all these are plugged in and working fine.

Hardware settings: Check the hardware settings in the CMOS and in

the device manager of the system and make all the device drivers up

to date and all the cards are plugged in properly.

Notice changes: When you notice a software or hardware error in

your computer, determine what was changed before the problem

occurred.

Event viewer: In the event viewer, you will find the error or warning

messages associated with any faulty hardware or software.

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Make notes: Troubleshooting is a useful skill and we can learn a lot

when we face any kind of troubleshooting in our computer. Make notes

including the error messages and their solutions, so that you have a

record on how a certain problem occurred and how did you solve it.

Common PC Problems and Solutions

You are working away at your computer when suddenly, an error

message or worse, your computer comes to a screeching halt. Here are the

common computer problems and solutions that can help you.

Steps

1. Check the POST. POST stands for Power On Self-Test. This is generally

the first or second thing that appears on a computer after turning on the

power. This appears before the operating system begins to load. The POST

will display any problem found with the hardware that makes the computer

unable to boot. POST may also display problems with hardware that allow the

computer to boot, but not operate at its full capacity during operation.

2. Notice the load time of the OS (operating system). A longer than usual

load time may indicate errors in the hard drive.

3. Notice any graphics problems once the OS has loaded. Reduced

graphics may indicate driver failures or hardware failures with graphic cards.

4. Perform an auditory test. An auditory test is a simple, but still effective

way of judging how a computer is working. With the computer on and running,

play any decent length audio file (usually above 30 sec.) If the audio is

choppy or slow, it usually means that the processor is working at an elevated

level, or there is not enough RAM to run all programs loading. Changing the

startup sound is a great way to apply this test. Another issue associated with

choppy sounds is PIO (Programmed Input/Output) Mode. This affects how the

hard drive reads and writes data from a drive. Switching to Direct Memory

Access (DMA) allows for faster reads and writes, and can sometimes repair

choppy audio.

5. Check any newly installed hardware. Many operating systems,

especially Windows, can have conflicts with new drivers. The driver may be

badly written, or it may conflict with another process. Windows will usually

notify you about devices that can cause or have any problem. To check this

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use the Device Manager, this can be accessed by entering the Control Panel,

clicking the System icon, clicking the Hardware tab, and clicking on Device

Manager. Use this to check and arrange the properties of hardware.

6. Check any newly installed software. Software may require more

resources than the system can provide. Chances are that if a problem begins

after software starts, the software is causing it. If the problem appears directly

upon startup, it may be caused by software that starts automatically on boot.

7. Check RAM and CPU consumption. A common problem is a choppy or

sluggish system. If a system is choppy it is good practice to see if a program

is consuming more resources than the computer can provide. An easy way to

check this is to use the Task Manager, right click on the taskbar select Task

Manager, and click the Processes tab. The CPU column contains a number

that indicates the percentage of CPU the process is consuming. The Memory

Usage column indicates how much memory a process is consuming.

8. Listen to the computer, if the hard drive is scratching or making loud

noises, shut off the computer and have a professional diagnose the

hard drive. Listen to the CPU fan, this comes on a high speed when the CPU

is working hard, and can tell you when the computer is working beyond its

capacity.

9. Run a virus and malware scan. Performance problems can be caused by

malware on the computer. Running a virus scan can find any problem. Use a

commonly updated virus scanner (such as Norton Antivirus or Avast!

Antivirus)

10. Check for the problem in safe mode. To enter safe mode, press F8

repeatedly during POST (this works on most systems). If the problem persists

in safe mode, it is a fair bet that the operating system itself is to blame.

Common Trouble shooting for Computer Units

1. Double check the power connections.

2. Voltage regulator and power supply could cause power failure in the

computer unit.

3. Check the power cords and cable connectors in your computer unit.

4. Unseated card. Loose cards could cause malfunction.

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5. Check the boot sequence configuration in the advance BIOS (Basic

Input/Output Unit) setup.

Diagnosing Network Connection

Things to look for if a PC is connected to the internet or network:

First, check the cable connecting to the network card into the network

hub.

Check the back of the computer to see if the network card light is on

Check the network cable (use cable tester)

Check the network hub (use multi-tester)

Identify the following:

1. Moderately dangerous types of errors that can pop up on your PC.

2. Caused by malfunctioning hardware components and characterized by

short beep sounds from the tiny internal speaker of your motherboard.

3. They happen at any point of time. As the name suggests, these are

caused by applications while those are running.

4. Usually caused by corrupted driver files or malfunctioning hardware

components.

5. Caused by corrupted or malfunctioning system files or software

executables.

6. Caused by corrupted hardware, especially malfunctioning RAM

modules and bad sectors on hard disks.

7. Caused by problems faced by browsers when trying to access a

website.

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Task: Develop a Sample Diagnostic Plan

List down all possible components to be checked based on the symptoms.

Symptoms: Dead Computer Monitor

Good Defective Remedy

AC outlet

AVR

AVR fuse

Monitor Power Cable

Monitor Switch

Power Supply

Diagnosing a Computer Power Supply

Create a diagnostic plan for troubleshooting a power supply with the

use of the following tools, materials and equipment.

You will be assessed using the following criteria:

CRITERIA Passed Failed

1. Sequence of steps in diagnosing is followed.

2. Safety precaution is observed.

3. Appropriate tools are used in diagnosing.

4. Diagnostic plan for troubleshooting is created.

PERFORMANCE RATING

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LESSON2: DIAGNOSE AND CONFIGURE COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND

NETWORKS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to the legislation,

policies, procedures and activities that aim to protect the health, safety and

welfare of all people at the workplace.

Every worker has the right to a healthy and safe work and to a work

environment that enables them to live a socially and economically productive

life. Safety practices should be learned early and must be followed when

working with any electrical device including personal computers and

peripherals.

The following are some safety precautions to take before working with any

computer devices:

uction to prevent

accidents or any unwanted events that may occur on your workplace.

Do not work on a computer when you are wet because you might get

electrocuted.

Do not remove internal devices of the computer when it is turned on.

Avoid playing or running while inside the room.

Always wear personal protective equipments (PPE) like coverall, shoes

with rubber sole, anti-static wrist strap, etc.

Ask for assistance from your teacher when it comes dealing with

computer devices.

Applying safety measures when handling tools and equipment are

necessary to avoid certain damages.

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The student is further expected to maintain good health, to be neat in

personal appearance and to practice safe working procedures at all time with

appropriate equipment.

Basic Concepts of Electricity

This lesson will introduce you to the fundamental knowledge of

electricity. It will equip the student with the basic knowledge in electricity.

Basic Electrical Terms

Electricity Is defined as the flow of electron or electric current. It

is an invisible form of energy that can be

transformed into other forms of energy like heat light

and mechanical.

Electron Is the negatively charged component of an atom. It

has the ability to flow.

Proton Is the positively charged component of an atom. It

has the ability to attract electron.

Matter Is anything that occupy space and has mass. It can

be a solid, liquid or gas in state.

Atom Basic component of matter. It composes of a

nucleus which is the central part, the protons and

electrons.

Current Same as electricity or flow of electron. The amount

of current flowing in a circuit can be measured in

ampere (I).

Voltage The amount of pulling force that makes the electron

flow. Also known as potential difference or EMF

(electromotive force). The amount of voltage can be

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measured in volt (V).

Resistance Defined as the opposition to the flow of current. The

Conductors and Insulators

Conductors are materials that easily allow the flow of current, or it has

a low resistance to current flow.

Examples; aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron

Insulators are materials that do not easily allow the flow of current, or

it has a high resistance to current flow.

Examples; rubber, plastic, paper

Types of Current

1. Direct Current

In direct current (DC), the flow of electric charge is only in one

direction, the type of electricity produced by batteries, static, and lightning.A

voltage is created and maybe stored until it is consumed when the current

flows directly, in one direction. In the circuit, the current flows at a specific,

constant voltage (this is oversimplified somewhat but good enough for our

needs.) When you use a flashlight, pocket radio, portable CD player or

virtually any other type of portable or battery-powered device, you are using

direct current.

Most DC circuits are relatively low in voltage; for example, your car's

battery is approximately 12V, and that's about as high a DC voltage as most

people ever use.

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Source: www.electrostudy.com

Figure 1.Direct Current

Figure 1 shows an ideal 12 V DC current. The voltage is considered

positive because its potential is measured relative to ground or the zero-

potential default state of the earth.

Direct currents flow in one direction only and are constant in time. Their

appearance is that of a straight line which does not vary. They are produced

from power sources such as batteries, power supplies and DC generators.

Photovoltaic devices such as solar cells also generate DC power.

2. AC Alternating Current

In alternating current (AC, also ac) the movement of electric charge

periodically reverses direction. This type of electricity is produced or

generated by AC generators commonly from a hydro electric plant. It is the

commercial power that we use in homes and offices. Delivered through a

power transmission lines.AC current can be reduced through the use of

power transformer to suite for its application.It can also be converted to DC

for a specific purpose. In the Philippines AC is rated as 220V AC at 60 Hz.

Alternating currents change direction, flowing first one way and then

the other. They are sinusoidal waves, so that they change in time. They are

produced from sources such as power supplies and AC generators. In North

America, AC is 120 volts and 60 hertz or cycles per second. This means it

changes direction 60 times per second. In Europe, it is generally 50 hertz with

220 to 240 volts.

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Source: www.electrostudy.com

Figure2. Alternating Current

Why does standard electricity come only in the form of alternating

current?

There are a number of reasons, but one of the most important is that a

characteristic of AC is that it is relatively easy to change voltages from one

level to another using a transformer, while transformers do not work for DC.

This capability allows the companies that generate and distribute electricity to

do it in a more efficient manner, by transmitting it at high voltage for long

lengths, which reduces energy loss due to the resistance in the transmission

wires. Another reason is that it may be easier to mechanically generate

alternating current electricity than direct current.

provided by your utility must be converted to direct current before use.

This is the primary function of your power supply.

Figure 3.Simplified block diagram of a PC power supply

AC POWER

PC PSU DC POWER

MOTHERBOARD

DRIVES

COOLING FANS

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Electric Circuit

Electric circuit - is the pathways for electricity to flow.

Components of Circuit

Load - commonly represented by a bulb or any electrical component

that consumes electricity.

Supply - Commonly represented by a cell or a battery

Switch - an electrical device that opens or closed a circuit.

Figure4. A simple circuit

Types of Circuit

1. Open Circuit - a type of circuit that has an open path for current to flow. It

means that current cannot flow in open circuit.

Figure5. An open circuit

Load

Switch

Supply

- +

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2. Closed Circuit - a type of circuit that has a closed path for current to flow.

It means that current can flow in a closed circuit.

Figure6. A closed circuit

I. Identification:

Direction: Identify the following statement.

_________1. Defined as the flow of electron or electric current. It is an invisible

form of energy that can be transformed into other form of energy

like heat light and mechanical.

_________2. The negatively charge component of an atom. It has the ability to

flow.

_________3. Defined as the opposition to the flow of current. The amount of

resistance can be measured

_________4. The positively charged component of an atom. It has the ability to

attract electron.

Load

Switch

Supply

- +

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_________5. Anything that occupy space and has mass. It can be a solid, liquid

or gas in state.

_________6. Basic component of matter. It is composed of a nucleus which is

the central part, the protons and electrons.

_________7. Same as electricity or flow of electron. The amount of current

flowing in a circuit can be measured in ampere (I).

_________8. The amount of pulling force that makes the electron flow. Also

known as potential difference or EMF (electromotive force). The

amount of voltage can be measured in volt (V).

_________9. Materials that easily allow the flow of current, or it has a low

resistance to current flow.

_________10. Materials that do not easily allow the flow of current, or it has a high

resistance to current flow.

_________11. A computer power supply converts AC to ___________________.

_________12. Define as the pathways for electricity to flow.

_________13. A component of a circuit that is commonly represented by a bulb or

any electrical component that consumes electricity.

_________14. A component of a circuit that is commonly represented by a cell or

a battery.

_________15. An electrical device that opens or closed a circuit.

_________16. A type of circuit that has a closed path for current to flow. It means

that current can flow in this circuit.

_________17. A type of circuit that has an open path for current to flow. It means

that current cannot flow in this circuit.

_________18. A circuit connection has only one path of current flow. In this circuit

connection the current remain constant.

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_________19. A circuit connection that has 2 or more path of current. In this circuit

the voltage remains constant.

_________20. An invisible form of energy.

Techniques for diagnosing computer systems

Computer Diagnosis

Sometimes when the problem with a system is not totally apparent and

intermittent, using a basic common diagnostic procedure may help determine

what is wrong. This procedure has a number of steps that, if followed each

time, can be of help.

Rules in Diagnosing Computer System

1. Know the facts

Educate one self on all aspects and operation of computer parts.

Continuous learning on computer technology. 2. Use your common sense 3. Focus on Field Replaceable Units

Identify the different types of FRU that can be used for replacement or subassembly.

4. Proper assembly and disassembly 5. Factors Causing Computer Failures and Defects

Peopleware

Untrained personnel could have damaged programs in PC.

Firmware

Programs or software burnt in chips may be corrupted.

Software

Corrupted operating systems would cause the system to fail.

Hardware

Defective hardware components would lead to computer malfunction. Hardware conflicts and viruses can hinder your computers performance.

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ESD (Electro Static Discharge)

Electro static discharge can easily damage sensitive components in yourcomputer. Electricity

Incoming supply from AC outlet must be regulated; power surges can

damage computer units.

Problem Isolation

Problem isolation is a detective work in which you need to determine

what is out of the ordinary by making detailed observation of what is not

working normally and record any information as you proceed. The information

you will be able to gather will help diagnose your computer. You need to

observe wisely. Look for any abnormalities in the unit, any change in smell or

foreign smell, listen to all the sounds, and error codes.

Component Isolation

This section will aid in determining components in your system which

are failing. First, most systems have 3 major components; monitor, system

unit, and printers. Some have multiple external devices. To troubleshoot, you

need to isolate major components which are failing to operate.

Diagnostics Procedure for ATX Power Supply Failure

1. Determine whether or not the power comes on.

2. Check the switch operation with a Digital Volt Meter on the

continuity or resistance setting.

3. Check the pins if the corresponding voltage are properly

regulated to the motherboard.

4. Replace the power supply unit if defective.

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Flowchart for ATX Power Supply Repair

Warning! You must unplug your ATX power supply from the wall before working inside the case.

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Things to Consider:

There are many devices, parts, cords, and connections on a computer,

which means that there are many possible problems that could arise. In

addition, your computer uses a variety of software, which can also cause

problems. However, no matter what the problem is, you can use the

following tips to help you find a solution:

Always check the cables: Many computer problems are related to an

issue in the cables and connections. The easiest first step you can take to

troubleshoot most problems is to check all related cables and connections.

Isolate the problem: If possible, try to isolate the problem. For example, if

you can't get the cursor to move on the screen, try to determine if the

issue is with the mouse. If you have an extra mouse, you can alternate

devices to see if the one plugged in is the issue, or use the arrow keys on

the keyboard to help determine if the mouse is the source of the problem.

When trying to isolate the problem, only make one change at a time.

Figure 7. An error message

Take notes about error messages: If your computer gives you error

messages, be sure to write down as much information as possible. If the

basic troubleshooting steps don't work, you may need the information you

have taken.

Remember the steps you've taken, or write them down: Once you start

troubleshooting, you will want to remember what you have done, so you

don't repeat yourself. If you can't remember it, then write it down. If you

end up asking someone for help, it will be much easier if they know

exactly which steps you've taken.

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Simple Solutions to Common Problems

Most of the time, problems can be fixed by using simple

troubleshooting techniques, such as closing and re-opening the program.

It's important to try these simple solutions before resorting to more extreme

measures. If the problem still isn't fixed, you can then try other

troubleshooting techniques, such as reinstalling the software.

Program Runs Slowly or Isn't Working Right

If a program is running slowly or otherwise isn't working right, the first thing

you should try is closing the program and re-opening it.

You can also shut down your computer, wait a few seconds, and boot it

up again. Some minor problems will work themselves out when you do

this.

Check with the company for any known problems or updates to the

software.

Figure 8.Checking for updates

Program is Completely Unresponsive

If a program has become completely unresponsive, you can press (and

hold) Control+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.

You can then select the program that isn't working and click End Task. If

you are using a Mac, you can press Option+Command+Esc to open a

similar dialog box.

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Figure 9.The Task Manager

Problems Starting or Shutting Down the Computer

Figure 10.Resetting a surge protector

If your computer does not start, begin by checking the power cord to

confirm that it is plugged securely into the back of the computer case and

the power outlet.

If it is plugged into an outlet, make sure it is a working outlet. Often, this

will require you to plug a lamp or other electrical device into the outlet to

make sure it is receiving power.

If the computer is plugged into a surge protector, verify that it is turned

on. You may have to reset the surge protector by turning it off and then

back on. You can also plug a lamp or other device into the surge protector

to verify that it is on.

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If you are using a laptop, the battery may not be charged. Plug the AC

adapter into the wall and then try to turn on the laptop. If it still doesn't

start up, you may need to wait a few minutes and then try again.

"Non-System Disk or Disk Error" Message

If you get this message when you boot up your computer, it usually

means there is a CD, DVD, USB flash drive, or floppy disk in your

computer, which is interfering with your computer's booting process.

Remove the disk from the drive and restart the computer.

Figure 11.The Non-System Disk or Disk Error Message

Windows Shutting Down Message Will Not Disappear

Sometimes Windows will freeze during the shutdown process. If

this happens, the Windows is Shutting Down message screen will stay

active on your screen. To finish shutting down the computer, press and

hold the power button for about 10 seconds, or until the computer turns

off.

Figure12.The Windows shutdown screen

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Computer Begins Randomly Rebooting or Crashing

Check for overheating. Make sure the vents in the case are not blocked.

Confirm that there is good air flow around the computer.

Update your antivirus software and scan for viruses.

Figure13.Virus Scanning

Problems with the Monitor and Speakers

No Picture on the Monitor

Confirm the computer is turned on.

Check the brightness control, located on your monitor or your keyboard,

and make sure it is not set too low.

Check the connections for the monitor and surge protector, and make

sure the surge protector is turned on.

Figure 14.Cable plugged into monitor

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Monitor Goes Blank Periodically

You may have the screensaver

enabled. If the screen saver is

enabled, just move your mouse

back and forth and your original

screen will appear. You can

change the screensaver settings

by going to your Control Panel

(or your System Preferences if

you're using a Mac).

Figure 15.Opening the Control Panel

No Sound

Figure 16.Adjusting the sound volume on a Mac

Check the volume control on your computer. In Windows, the sound icon

will usually be on the taskbar, and you can also access the sound options

in the Control Panel. On Macs, the sound options are found at the top of

the screen or in System Preferences.

Most media programs (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) have

a volume control, which will need to be turned up.

Make sure the speakers are turned on, if using external speakers.

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Make sure external speakers are connected to the correct audio port or a

USB port. If your computer has color-coded ports, the audio output will

usually be green.

Connect headphones to the correct audio port and determine if sound is

audible from the headphones.

Searching the web for a solution

If you still haven't found a solution to your problem, you may need to

ask someone else for help. Try searching the web for the problem that

you're having, as other people may have had similar problems. Also, if you

have a friend or family member who knows a lot about computers, they may

be able to help you.

Keep in mind that most computer problems have simple solutions,

although it may take some time to find them. For very difficult problems, a

more drastic solution may be required, such as reformatting your hard

drive, reinstalling programs, or reinstalling your operating system. If you're not

a computer expert, it's possible that you could make the situation worse, so

it's best to consult a professional if you think a drastic solution is needed.

Task. Examining the Motherboard in Detail

1. Look at the back of your computer. Without opening the case, list the ports

that you believe come directly from the motherboard.

2. Remove the cover of the case. List the different expansion cards in the

expansion slots. Was your guess correct about which ports come from the

motherboard?

3. To expose the motherboard so you can identify its parts, remove all the

expansion cards.

4. Draw a diagram of the motherboard and label these parts: Processor

(Include the prominent label on the processor housing.)

a) RAM (each DIMM slot)

b) CMOS battery

c) Expansion slots (Identify the slots as PCI, PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe

x16, and AGP.) Each port coming directly from the motherboard

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Power supply connections, SATA or IDE drive connectors and

floppy drive connector

5. Draw a rectangle on the diagram to represent each bank of jumpers on

the board.

6. What is the brand and model of the motherboard?

7.

manual on the site, download it.

8. You can complete the following activity only if you have the documentation

for the motherboard:.

What do you do if a program on a PC is completely unresponsive? What

about a program on a Mac?

What should you do if you've tried everything and the problem still isn't

fixed?

Diagnosing Power Supply Failure

Directions: Divide the class into five (5) groups. Choose a leader for each

group. The group will prepares a chart and perform the tasks required by the

Diagnostics Procedure of ATX Power Supply Failure. After the activity

they will be graded through the given Performance Score Card below:

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PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Performance Criteria Passed Failed

1. The students clearly identified the problem and applied

the possible solution correctly.

2. The students utilized actual tools/device in performing

the actual usage of each tools and OHS was observed.

3. The students applied safety precautions during the

Activity.

4. The activity gave students more critical thinking on the

personal protective equipment.

5. The students cooperatively performed the activity.

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Tools for Testing Computer System

Tools and equipment play vital roles in troubleshooting. They help the

user determine the errors found in their computer hardware and network.

Tools used to test hardware problems:

1. Screw drivers - are used for installing and removing screws in the computer

unit.

Figure 17.Screw Drivers

2. Pliers and tweezers - are used for picking small parts in the computer unit.

Figure18. Pliers and Tweezers

3. Soldering iron- is primarily used for connecting terminals in the power supply and circuit board with the use of a soldering lead.

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Figure19. Soldering iron

4. Anti-static wrist strap, mat and spray- are used for eliminating electrostatic

discharge in the work area.

Figure20. Anti- static wrist strap, mat and spray

5. Lens cleaner a device used for cleaning optical media, such as DVD-

ROMS and CD-writers.

Figure21. Lens Cleaner

6. Thermal paste-is a paste used for heat dissipation of the processor.

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Figure22. Thermal Paste

Network Troubleshooting Tools

1. LAN Tester is a device used for testing the network connection.

Source: www.nudata.com

Figure23. LAN Tester

2. Crimping tool- is a device used to crimp the RJ45 connector to the UTP

cable.

Source: www.ted-kyte.com

Figure24. Crimping Tool

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Direction: Answer the following question. Write your answers on your

notebook.

.

Enumerate the six tools used for

troubleshooting.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

2. Enumerate the two

network troubleshooting

tools.

a.

b.

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Troubleshooting computer system network

Causes of Network Trouble

If a computer is unable to connect to a network or see other computers

on a network, it may be necessary to troubleshoot the network. A network

may not work because of any of the reasons below.

1. Network card not properly connected.

2. Bad network card drivers or software settings.

3. Firewall preventing computers from seeing each other.

4. Connection related issues.

5. Bad network hardware.

Solution

Because of the large variety of network configurations, operating

systems and setup, not all of the below information may apply to your network

or operating system. If your computer is connected to a company or large

network, or you are not the administrator of the network, it is recommended

that if you are unable to resolve your issues after following the below

recommendations, you should contact the network administrator or company

representative.

Verify connections / LEDs

Verify that the network cable is properly connected to the back of the

computer. In addition, when checking the connection of the network cable,

ensure that the LEDs on the network are properly illuminated. For example, a

network card with a solid green LED or light usually indicates that the card is

either connected or receiving a signal.

If, however, the card does not have any lights or has orange or red

lights, it is possible that the card is bad, not connected properly, or the card is

not receiving a signal from the network.

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If you are on a small or local network and have the capability of

checking a hub or switch, verify that the cables are properly connected and

that the hub or switch has power.

Adapter resources

Ensure that if this is a new network card being installed into the

computer that the card's resources are properly set and not conflicting with

any hardware in the computer.

Adapter functionality

Verify that the network card is capable of detecting or seeing itself by

using the ping command. Windows / MS-DOS users ping the computer from a

MS-DOS prompt. Unix / Linux variant users ping the computer from the shell.

To ping the card or the local host, type either ping 127.0.0.1 or ping

local host

This should show a listing of replies from the network card. If you

receive an error or if the transmission failed, it is likely that either the network

card is not physically installed into the computer correctly, or that the card is

bad.

Protocol

Verify that the correct protocols are installed on the computer. Most

networks today will utilize TCP/IP, but may also utilize or

require IPX/SPX and NetBEUI.

When the TCP/IP protocol is installed, unless a DNS server or other

computer assigns the IPX address, the user must specify an IP address as

well as a Subnet Mask. To do this, follow the instructions below.

1. Click Start / Settings / Control Panel

2. Double-click the Network icon

3. Within the configuration tab double-click the TCP/IP protocol icon. Note: Do

not click on the PPP or Dial-Up adapter, click on the network card adapter.

4. In the TCP/IP properties click the IP address tab

5. Select the option to specify an IP address

6. Enter the IP address and Subnet Mask address, an example of such an

address could be:

IP Address: 102.55.92.1

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.192

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/t/tcpip.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/i/ipxspx.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/n/netbeui.htmhttp://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/subnetma.htm

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7. When specifying these values, the computers on the network must all

have the same Subnet Mask and have a different IP Address. For

example, when using the above values on one computer you would want

to use an IP address of 102.55.92.2 on another computer and then specify

the same Subnet Mask.

Firewall

If your computer network utilizes a firewall, ensure that all ports required

are open. If possible, close the firewall software program or disconnect the

computer from the firewall to ensure it is not causing the problem.

Additional time

In some cases it may take a computer some additional time to detect

or see the network. If after booting the computer you are unable to see the

network, give the computer 2-3 minutes to detect the network. Windows users

may also want to try pressing the F5 (refresh) key when in Network

Neighborhood to refresh the network connections and possibly detect the

network

Additional troubleshooting

If after following or verifying the above recommendations you are still

unable to connect or see the network, attempt one or more of the below

recommendations.

If you have installed or are using TCP/IP as your protocol you can ping

another computer's IP address to verify if the computer is able to send and

receive data. To do this, Windows or MS-DOS users must be at a prompt and

Linux / Unix variant users must open or be at a shell.

Once at the prompt assuming, that the address of the computer you

wish to ping is 102.55.92.2, you would type:

ping 102.55.92.2

If you receive a response back from this address (and it is a different

computer), this demonstrates that the computer is communicating over the

network. If you are still unable to connect or see the network, it is possible

that other issues may be present.

Another method of determining network issues is to use the tracert

command if you are a MS-DOS or Windows user or the trace route command

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/f/firewall.htm

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if you are a Linux / Unix variant user. To use this command you must be at

the command prompt or shell. Ortrace route 102.55.92.2

This should begin listing the hops between the computer and network

devices. When the connection fails, determine what device is causing the

issue by reviewingthe trace route listing.

Networking with DHCP

Task: Setting up a local area network with a Dynamic Host Control

Protocol (DHCP) server is easy. The DHCP server provides all the

information your computer needs to get up and running on the network. Once

connected, you will check network connectivity with the router and at least

one other peer on the network.

Procedures:

Getting connected

1. Before connecting your PC to the network, be sure the Windows XP

operating system is running on your computer. You will use Windows XP sp2

throughout this activity.

2. Next, open a terminal window on your computer by clicking on

Applications->Accessories->Terminal.

3. In the terminal window, type ipconfig and press Enter.

a. How many network devices are listed in the output? Record their names in

your worksheet.

b. Is there an IPv4 address listed for any of the network devices? If so, record

your

IP address (es) in your worksheet.

4. Connect your computer to a network switch using a patch cable. Did you

get a light on the switch? Record the port number you connected to in your

worksheet.