CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Methodology and Resolving Core Hardware Problems II

Troubleshoot steps for a blank screen.

1) Check to make sure the monitor is on. Is the power light on? 2) Is the monitor getting signal? (Check connections. If they're good, could be a bad video card.) 3) Did the system POST properly? Did you get a POST beep or beep code? 4) Did you ever see anything on the screen? BIOS info? Did the OS start to load and then go blank?

Troubleshoot steps for a spinning PSU fan but no other devices have power.

1) Did you hear a POST beep or beep code? 2) Disconnect all internal and external peripherals so that only the motherboard is drawing power (with CPU and RAM, of course). Does it POST then? - If you disconnect everything and it still doesn't POST, the mobo's probably fried. If it POSTs, start plugging components back in one at a time, starting with the hard drive and other internals. You'll eventually find the problem. 3) If you have a power supply tester or multimeter, now is a good time to use it. Otherwise, if you replace the motherboard, the PSU might just fry it again.

What should you do if you have sluggish performance?

Always look at the Task Manager / Activities Monitor first. (In Windows, Ctrl + Alt + Delete should open a list that includes it.) If CPU, memory, or disk counters are over 80%, the system may appear sluggish. Next, look at free disk space. Disk Cleanup can free up space. Or, manually delete unneeded files, or install a second hard drive.

What are some symptoms of physical memory problems?

App or system lockups, unexpected shutdowns or reboots, or proprietary crash screens.

What are some common, infamous memory problems? (i.e. proprietary crash screens)

BSOD (blue screen of death, in Windows) Rotating pinwheel, in macOS

What is capacitor swelling?

Capacitors are short cylindrical tubes that store electricity. When they fail, they will swell and a brownish-red electrolyte residue may seep out of the vents in the top. These are called distended capacitors.

What should you do if you get a black screen?

Check if the monitor is plugged in and turned on. Check if it seems to be getting signal from the video card. Check if it's in sleep mode. (For these three, try turning the monitor off and back on.) Otherwise, try a different monitor and video cable. FInally, try a new video card. (NB the built-in video circuitry in the mobo should automatically disable when an expansion GPU is installed. Also, make sure the monitor is plugged into the new card.)

What should you do if an I/O port isn't working?

Check that cables are snugly connected. Check that the port has not been disabled in BIOS setup or (for Windows) in Device Manager. Check that no pins are broken or bent on the male end.

What should you do when nothing happens when you try to turn on the device?

Check that everything's connected properly., that it's not a problem with the wall socket, or the mobo hasn't shorted (from an improperly seated card). If everything checks out and it still doesn't work, replace the PSU with a new one.

Describe problems with virtual memory.

Could be an issue with the virtual memory. The paging file on the hard drive is often dynamic in size. If the hard drive runs out of room for the paging file, it might cause sluggish performance (or another memory issue). Ensure that at least 10% of the hard drive space is free.

What are the steps of the POST?

Depends on the BIOS vender, but usually it includes: - Checking the CPU - Checking the RAM - Checking for the presence of a video card - Verifying basic hardware functionality

What's the issue if your computer can't retain settings like date/time and hard drive settings?

It's probably an issue with the CMOS battery and you need to replace it.

What's the problem if your computer can't find the proper boot device?

It's probably attempting to boot to an incorrect drive. Check the BIOS to see if you need to change the boot sequence. 1) Reboot the system and look for the messages telling you to press a certain key to enter the BIOS (usually F2). 2) Once you're in the BIOS, find the menu with the boot priority and set it to the desired order. If the changes don't hold the next time you reboot, check the battery.

What can be a cause of sluggish performance?

Low physical or virtual memory Low available space on the primary hard drive Failing motherboard, CPU, or hard drive Poorly coded software apps Too many apps open at once (causing low memory) Malware on the computer

What is a beep code? What do the different codes mean?

POST code beeps that communicate a problem (or, usually with a single beep, that everything was successful). The beeps differ depending on the BIOS manufacturer and version, so you need to look up the code in a chart for your particular BIOS. (Use the internet.)

What should you do with distended capacitors?

Replace the motherboard. (Do not touch the residue, it can give you a chemical burn.) Drain the energy from the failed capacitor and replace it, but only if you have special training to deal with capacitors.

What are some ways a motherboard can be damaged? What can that do to the system? How can you reduce risk to the motherboard?

They can be damaged by physical trauma, exposure to electrostatic discharge (ESD), overheating, or short-circuiting. A problem with the mobo can the whole system look like it's dead. Handle a mobo as little as possible and keep it in an antistatic bag whenever it's removed from the PC case. Keep all liquids well away; water can cause a short circuit. Wear an antistatic wrist strap. When installing a mobo, make sure you use brass standoffs with paper or plastic washers to prevent any stray solder around the screw holes from causing a short circuit with the metal of the screw.

What can you do to see if the port is the problem? What if it's the cable?

To test a potentially faulty port, you can use a loopback plug. For the cable, swap it out with one that you know works or use a multimeter set to ohms and check the resistance between the ends.

What should you do if you get an error message related to memroy?

Write down the memory address if the message gives you one. If the error happens again, write down the address again. If it's the same or a similar address, it's possibly an issue with the physical memory. (Memory errors can be related to programming issues.) There are also hardware-or software-based RAM testers.

What is a fix to a memory issue?

You might be able to fix it by switching the slot that the RAM is in, but you probably have to replace the RAM.