Transcript No Slide Title

Chapter 11
Troubleshooting PC
Hardware
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
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Troubleshooting Basics
•Effective troubleshooting uses techniques to diagnose and fix
computer problems. A series of logical steps speeds up the
troubleshooting process.
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
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Troubleshooting Tools and Aids
•Every technician should have a good toolset.
•The typical toolset will include items such as:
•Flat-head screwdriver
•Phillips-head screwdriver
•Nut drivers
•Needle-nose pliers
•Diagonals or crosscut pliers
•Mirror - helps see into very tight spots
•Flashlight
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Troubleshooting Tools and Aids
•The toolset should include a digital
multimeter, which is a measuring device.
•A digital multimeter can measure voltage,
amps, and ohms in both alternating and
direct current.
•A digital multimeter can be used to test
power supplies, DC/AC voltage and polarity,
resistance (Ohms), diodes, continuity,
coaxial cable, fuses, and batteries.
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
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Troubleshooting Tools and Aids
(Digital Multimeter)
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
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Troubleshooting Tools and Aids
•Loop-back plugs can provide important
diagnostic information while
troubleshooting serial and parallel ports
(printers).
•Loop-back testing works by sending
signals out and verifying if the correct
input is received back.
•Diagnostic information can be gained
from individual pins, ports, controllers,
and printer output.
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
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Field Replaceable Units
•Devices that can be replaced or added in the field are called
Field Replaceable Units (FRU). FRUs do not require any
soldering and are easy to remove and install.
Common FRUs are:
•Monitors
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•Keyboard/ mouse
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•Modular expansion cards
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•Most microprocessors
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IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software
Power Supply
RAM: DIMMs, SIMMs, RIMMs, etc.
Floppy and fixed disk drives
Motherboard
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Input Devices
•Input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, scanners, and digital
cameras transfer data into the computer. Most input devices are
detected at startup.
•When troubleshooting input devices, always start with the simple
solutions. Check to make sure the device is properly connected.
•After checking the physical connections of the input device, try
rebooting the computer.
•Pay attention to any errors that display during startup.
•The errors will be indicated either as a text error on the video
display or a POST beep code (a keyboard is not properly connected,
the user might get a beep code or a "301 error message.“)
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SCSI Interface Issues
•SCSI drives require a separate controller from the IDE
controller.
•The SCSI bus operation and the transfer rate are controlled by
adapter settings. If there is a transfer speed mismatch amongst
the SCSI controllers, the drive might have I/O errors.
•As a rule, attach the SCSI controller set to the last SCSI ID,
which is SCSI ID #7. Input/Output errors might result if the SCSI
ID is not set to 7.
•An important consideration with SCSI IDs is, the higher the
SCSI ID, the higher the priority. The actual ID priority is 7, 6, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1, 0, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8.
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