Hardware Troubleshooting

Definition
Hardware troubleshooting is the process of
reviewing, diagnosing and identifying
operational or technical problems within a
hardware device or equipment.
It aims to resolve physical and/or logical
problems and issues within a computing
hardware.
Hardware troubleshooting is done by
hardware or technical support technician.
1) PC does not start
Power cord or cable
SMPS
Processor not installed properly

Solutions

Check power cable for loose contact or breakage

Check the SMPS fuse or replace SMPS
Install the processor properly
2) System started but no display
Monitor cable loose contact or faulty
VGA card loose contact on motherboard
Monitor

Solutions

Check monitor cable for loose contact and put it

properly if it breaks replace with new one.
Properly insert the VGA card in PCI slot if it not
solves the problem then replace the VGA card
Adjust the settings on the monitor otherwise
problem with monitor
3) Continuous beep as you start PC
RAM
System bus speed mismatch

Solutions

1. Insert RAM properly on the motherboard

2.Clear the CMOS settings by shorting the pin1
and 2 or JP1
3. RAM replaces it with working one
Configure correct bus speed in BIOS. If you dont
know values then configure it to Optimized
Defaults.
4) HDD not found
IDE cable or Power connection
BIOS settings
Partition failure
Operating system boot files damaged in the HDD

Solutions

Check IDE cables or power connector for proper

connectivity
Use IDE Auto Detection option in BIOS for detecting the
HDD
Repartition the HDD using bootable disk or any third
party tools
Restore the bootable files by starting the computer
with boot disk and type the following command
prompt a:\>sys c:\
5) FDD not found
FDD cable or power connector
Solutions
Connect data cable & power cable to FDD.
Replace the FDD

6) Keyboard not found

Keyboard connection
Keyboard port failure
Solutions
Check the keyboard cable for proper
connection or damage
Give it for repair at authorized service center
7) Mouse not detecting
Mouse cable faulty
Mouse driver corrupted or not loaded
Mouse is dead

Solutions

Check it for proper connection and replace it with

working one
Load the mouse drivers from the vendors
diskettes replace it with working one.
Replace it with working one.
8) When we connect both HDD & CD-ROM, HDD is not
detecting
Jumper settings on a device
BIOS settings

Solutions

Check for master & slave setting on backside of the

devices. The device, which contains operating system,
must set to master and other to slave.
Properly detect the devices using the IDE Auto
Detection option in BIOS.
9) System booting slowly
Insufficient disk space on default drives
Virus problem

Solutions

Free the disk space by removing all unnecessary

files and run the disk defragmentation utility.
Remove virus by running anti virus application
10) Unable to remove BIOS password
Jumper settings
Solutions
Remove all power connector from
motherboard and start pin 2 & 3 of JP1 and set
back to pin 1& 2
11) CD auto play not working
Device manager
Solutions
Go to control panel then system device
manager select CD Drive right click properties
and then enable auto insertion
12) No clarity
Display resolution
Solutions
Load display drivers properly & set correct
resolution (no: of bits/clarity )
13) PC Speaker, HDD led, power led & other LEDs not
working
Front panel port
Solutions
Check indicator connectors for proper
connectivity on motherboard front panel port
14) Check sum error
CMOS battery

Solutions

CMOS battery weak. Replace it with working.