SOLVING MINOR PROBLEMS

You may b able to easily resolve the minor problems described in this blog. If a problem persists and you are unable to resolve it yourself.

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUION

1.(a) Computer wont turn on	Computer is not connected to an external power source	Connect to an external power source
(b)	Cables to the external power source are unplugged.	Ensure that cables connecting the computer and plugged in properly.
(c)	A defective PCI or ISA card has been installed.	Remove any expansion card that was installed.
2.Computer appears locked up and wont turn off when he power button is pressed	Software’s control of the power switch is not functional.	Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off.
3. Computer time and date display is incorrect.	RTC (real-time clock) battery may need to be replaced. Battery life is approximately 5 years.	First, reset the date and time under control panel. If the problem persists. Replace the RTC battery. Refers to the making hardware changes guide for instruction on installing a new battery, or contact your computer model authorized dealer or reseller for RTC battery replacement.
4. Computer powered off automatically (Red power LED blinks four times per seconds.)	The unit temperature was exceeded. The fan may be blocked.	Unit is in an exceedingly hot environment. Let it cool down. Contact your operator.
	The unit temperature was exceeded because the computer was functioning with the cover or access panel removed.	Replaced cover or access panel, and let the computer cool down before attempting to turn on power to the computer.
5. Computer appears to pause periodically.	Network driver is loaded and no network connection is established.	Establish a network connection, or use computer setup or window device manager to disable the network controller.
6. cannot remove computer cover or access panel	Smart cover lock, featured on some computer, is locked.	Unlock the smart cover lock using computer setup (F10, F2, DELL,and “alt,esc and delete”). The smart cover fail save key, a device for manually disabling the smart cover lock, is available from the various dealer of your computer. You’ll need the failsafe key in case of forgotten password, power loss, or computer malfunction.

SOLVING DISK PROBLEMS.

Common causes and solutions for disk problems are fully discussed in this blog.

You may need to reconfigure the computer when you add or remove hardware. Such as an additional diskette drive. See Solving Hardware installation problems for instructions.

PROBLEMS CAUSE SOLUTION

1. (a)Diskette drive light stays on	Diskette is damaged.	In window 95 or 98, run scandisk. Click start =programs=Accessories=system tools=scandisk. In windows NT, right click Explore, and select a drive. Select file=Properties=tools. Under error checking, click check now.
(b)	Diskette is incorrectly inserted.	Remove diskette and reinsert.
(c)	Drive button is not properly connected.	Push in drive button.
(d)	Software’s programs is damaged	Check the program diskettes.
(e)	Drive cable is not properly connected.	Reconnect drive cable.
2. (a) Diskette drive cannot write to a diskette	Diskette is not formatted.	Format the diskette.
(b)	Diskette is writing protected.	Use another diskette or remove the write protection.
(c)	Writing to the wrong drive.	Check the drive letter in your path statement.
(d)	Not enough space is left on the diskette.	Use another diskette.
(e)	Diskette write control is enabled.	Check your storage security feature disabled settings.
3. Cannot format diskette	Invalid media reported.	When formatting a disk in DOS, you may need to specify diskette capacity. For example, to format a 720k diskette. Type the following command at the DOS prompt; Format a:/f:720
4. A problem has occurred with a disk transaction	The directory structure is bad, or there is a problem with a life.	In window 95 or 98, run scandisk. Click start=.programs=Accessories=system tools=scandisk. In windows NT, right click start, click explore, and select a drive. Select file=properties=tools. Under error checking, click check now.
5. Diskette drive cannot red a diskette	Diskette is not formatted.	Format the diskette.
	You are using the wrong diskette type for the drive type.	Check the type of drive you are using and use the correct diskette type.
6.Drive not found	Cable is loose.	Check connections.
	Computer configuration does not recognize second diskette drive	Use computer setup (f10, f1, f2, del, f12 and alt esc and del) to enable the second diskette drive. Select diskette from the storage menu.
7. Second ultra ATA hard drive does not perform optimally.	You are using the wrong cable for the drive type.	Reinstall the second ultra ATA hard drive using an 80n conductor cable is standard on select models.
8. Nonsystem diskette manage	The system is trying to start from a nonsystematic diskette.	Remove the diskette from the drive.

SOLVING DISPLAY PROBEMS

If you encounter display problems, refers to the documentation that came with your monitor and to the common causes and solution listed below.

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION

1. Black screen	Monitor is not turned on and the monitor light is not on.	Turn on the monitor and check that the monitor light is on.
	The cable connections are not correct.	Check the cable connection from the monitor to the computer and to the electrical outlet.
	The energy saver features has been enabled	Press any key or click the mouse button and, if it is done type your password.
	The RGB (red, green, blue) input switch on the back of the monitor is incorrectly set.	Set the monitor RGB input switch to 75 ohms and, if there is a sync switch, set it to External.
	System ROM is bad; system is running in failsafe boot block mode (indicated by one long beep and three short beeps).	Reflash the ROM using a ROMP aq diskette. Refer to the “failsafe boot block ROM” sector of the Desktop Management guide for more information.
	You are using a fixed-sync monitor and it won’t sync at the resolution chosen.	Be sure that the monitor can accept the same sweep rate as the resolution chosen.
Monitor does not function properly when used with energy saver features	Monitor without energy saver capabilities is being used with energy saver feature enabled.	Disable monitor energy saver feature.
Video colour are wrong	The cabling monitor impedance is incorrect..	If you using BNC cables, be sure that the Red, green, and blue BNC cable are connected to the corresponding monitor connectors. Be sure your monitor’s RGB inputs are set to 75 ohms.
Dim characters	The brightness and control are not set properly.	Adjust the brightness and contrast controls.
	Cables are not properly connected.	Check that the video cable is securely connected to the video card and the monitor.
	The RGB switch on the back of the monitor is incorrectly set.	Set the RGB switch (and sync options, if this option is available ) to 75 ohms, with the sync set to “external.” Refer to the documentation include with the monitor.
Blurry display or requested resolution cannot be set	If the graphic controller was upgraded, the correct display drivers may not be loaded.	Install the display driver on the diskette include in the upgrade kit.
Screen goes blank	You may have a screen blanking utility installed or energy saver feature are enables.	Press any key or type password.
The picture is broken up or it rolls, jitters, or blinks	The monitor connections may be incompletely adjusted.	Be sure the monitor cable I securely connected to the computer. In a 2 monitor system or if another monitor is in close proximity, be sure the monitors are not interfering with each others electromagnetic field by moving them apart.
Monitor overheating	There is not enough ventilation space for proper airflow.	Leaves at least 3 inches (7.6cm) of ventilation space. Be sure there is nothing sitting on top of the monitor obstructs the air flow.
Cursor will not move using the arrow keys on the keyboard	The num lock key may be on.	Press the num lock key. The num lock light should be on if you want to use the arrow keys.

SOLVING AUDIO PROBLMS

If your computer has audio features and you encounter audio problems, refers to the common causes and solutions listed in the following table:

Sound does not come out of the speaker	Click start=settings=control panel=multimedia=audio tab, then adjust the volume control.	Software’s volume control is turned down in control panel.
	Turn the CD-ROM volume control knob on front or back of computer to increase the volume.	CD-ROM volume control on the front or back of the computer down.

SOLVING HARDWARE INSTALLATION PROBLEMS.

You may need to reconfigure the computer when you add or remove hardware, such as an additional diskette drive. If you install a plug and play device, you must reconfigure the computer after completing installation of the new hardware. In window 95 and window 9, select the add new hardware icon in the control panel add follow the instruction that appears on the screen. To reconfigure the computer in Windows NT 4.0 after installing new hardware, use the utility provided with the hardware.

PROPLEMS CAUSE SOLUTION

A new device is not recognized as part of the computer system	The computer needs to be reconfigured to recognize the device.	Follow the reconfiguration instruction above.
	Cable(s) of new external device are loose or power cables are unplugged.	Ensure that all cables are properly and securely connected and that pins in the cable or connector are not bent down.
	Power switch of new external device is not turned on.	Turn off the computer, turn on the external device, then turn on the computer to integrate the device with the computer system.

Posted in: PC REPAIR