OVIFORCE BLOG

PROBLEMS DURING THE POST

2013-05-14T03:58:00.000-07:00

Once all the required devices are properly connected to the main computer unit, you can switch on the computer. Start the computer by first switching on the AC main switch, power conditioning device (UPS, Stabilizer, e.t.c.) switch and the power-on switch provided on the front panel or the back of the main system unit

Turn on the monitor; turn on the printer and all other peripherals connected to the computer system.

When the main unit is turned on, you will hear the main unit power supply fan’s rotation sound. After some time,. The computer will produce a single beep sound to indicate that all its parts are working properly.

Before producing this beep sound, computer does a POST (Power on Self Test) operation. During POST, Computer checks most of its parts to make sure that they are working normally.

During the POST, if the computer finds that a part is not working as expected, then it will display some error message or produces some combination of beep sounds to inform that something is wrong with the computer.

Problems that occur during the POST are usually caused by:

· Incorrect hardware configuration

· Incorrect installation of components

· CMOS settings not set

· Hardware failure

If you have a POST error, check the following:

· Are all cables correctly connected and secured?

· Are the configurations settings correct in setup for the devices you have installed? In particular, ensure the processor, memory and hard drive settings are correct?

· Is a Keyboard attached?

· Is a bootable hard disk (properly partitioned and formatted) installed?

· Are switches and jumpers on the baseboard correct, if changed from the default setting?

· Are all resource settings on add-in boards and peripheral devices set so that no conflicts exists (for example, two add-in boards sharing the same interrupt)?

· Is the power supply set to the proper input voltage (110V – 120V – 240V)?

· Are adapters boards and disk drives installed correctly?

· Does the BIOS support the drive you have installed, and if so, are the parameters entered correctly?

· Is a bootable floppy disk installed in drive A: ?

· Is all memory SIMMS or DIMMS installed correctly? Try restarting them.

· Is the Operating System properly installed?

MODERN PCs

2013-05-14T03:56:00.000-07:00

As you all know, thdern PC is an incredible collection of:

· Hardwares

· Softwares

· Firmwares &

· Humanware, Peopleware or Liveware

“HARDWARE” is a term used to describe the physical components of the computer, any computer part that you can see or touch, such as the computer monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, e.t.c. In short, any accessory/device connected is known as HARDWARE.

“SOFTWARE” is a set of instructions, provided to the computer to carry out the job required by the user and to make the Hardwares component work.

“FIRMWARE” is software permanently stored inside the computer e.g. the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

“HUMANWARE” , “PEOPLEWARE” or “LIVEWARE” are the name given to the people who work with the computer, such as the computer programmes, system analyst, computer Operators, e.t.c.

Concentrating particularly on the hardware, it has been proved that:

Nearly 8.6 billion transistors are in 1GB of RAM;

Between 50 and more than 400 transistors exists in modern processors;

In addition, hundreds of millions of transistors exist in the motherboard chipset, video processor and video RAM;

And millions more are in the other adapter cards or logic boards in the system.

Each of these billions of interconnected transistors must not only function properly, but also operate in an orderly fashion within strictly enforced timing windows, some of which are measured in Picoseconds (which is trillionths o a second).

However, when you realized that your PC is kinds of lock up or slowdown, kindly remember that it may be one of these transistors that fail to operate properly.

The complexities of modern PCs have made it simpler to operate, troubleshoot and maintain. It had also made it more reliable unlike their predecessors. However, modern designs and manufacturing techniques have made PC more reliable and easier to service despite their ever increasing internal complexity.

Everytime I power on my system/PC, I always imagine billions upon billions of components that operate in an orderly sequence inorder for the PC to become usable by me. From another perspective view, we can also see that there are opportunities for problems to arise.

In summary, the internal complexity & configurations of modern PC have made it reliable and had also reduced/minimize the rate at which PC breakdown.

REPLACEABLE COMPUTER PARTS

2013-05-11T07:26:00.005-07:00

“REPLACEABLE COMPONENTS” are parts of a computer system that are interchangeable and can be replaced with the exact, but newer one.

The picture above shows the basic computer system. Initially, mouse was not part of the basic computer configuration, but as the use of windows has become a part of the basic Computer System Configuration.

The main system as shown above contains all major components of the computer which are coupled together in a special way. This means that virtually all the parts that make up a system can be disassembled or interchanged with other systems in some manner. This also means that the parts are plentiful, inexpensive and generally very easy to install.

A typical PC contains the following replaceable components, most of which are made to industry standard for design and Form Factor. They are:

· Motherboards

· Processor

· CPU Heatsink/Fan

· Random Access Memory (RAM)

· CMOS Battery

· Chassis with Optional Fan

· Power supply

· Video card

· Monitor

· Sound card

· Speakers

· Network card

· Hard drive

· CD-ROM/+RW Drive

· DVD-ROM/+RW Drive

· Floppy drive

· Drive Cables

· Keyboards

· Mouse

Depending on how the PCs are integrated or configured from the manufacturer, some might have more components while some might have ever less than 20 components.

Looking from a hardware troubleshooting or repair perspective view, it can be deduced that components can be troubleshooted in 3 major ways which are:

· Reinstall or Replace Method

· Troubleshooting by Replacing Parts

· Troubleshooting by Bootstrap Approach

If one of the components is improperly installed or configured, the component can be repaired merely by reinstalling it or configuring it properly.

If it is truly defective or damaged, the component must simply be replaced with a new one.

More so, the PC can be disassembled into the basic replaceable parts and assembling/coupling the components back again. This method is known as "BOOSTRAP APPROACH".

PC's TROUBLESHOOTING

2013-05-11T07:26:00.002-07:00

Computer Troubleshooting can be defined as a way of solving numerous PC (Personal Computer) problems by applying simple deductive reasoning and logical thinking. Troubleshooting PC hardware problems can seem difficult to the people who don’t possess the knowledge, but to say the true fact, it is much simpler than it seems.

As you are aware that the modern PCs is becoming more and more complex day-by-day because of the internal circuits they contain. And this means there are potentially more things that can go wrong in a PC (i.e. there are more ways that the system can breakdown).

On the other hand, today’s complex circuits are embedded into fewer boards, with fewer chips on each board and more serial and parallel interconnections using fewer pins (Fewer Wires). The internal coupling of the circuits means that isolating the replaceable components which has failed is in many ways simpler than ever before.

Therefore, to effectively diagnose and repair your own systems, thereby saving a tremendous amount of money over taking it to a PC mechanic requires:

· An Understanding of the basics of how PCs work.

· The expected use of simple tools

· Some basic troubleshooting tips

· Logical Thinking and Common Sense

· Some safety Precautions

In some cases, you can save enough money to practically pay for an entire new system if the amounts of money require to repair a breakdown system is close or more than the amount to buy a brand new one.

In summary, the bottom line with troubleshooting PC problems is that a solution exists for every problem, and through simple practices combined with deductive reasoning, that solution can easily be detected, troubleshooted and given the best solution.