DIAGNOSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF FAULTY SYSTEM

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are
connected and connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose.
Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card are inserted correctly
and do not "pop-up" due to vibration.

Problem 1: System has no power at all. Power light does not illuminate, fan inside the power supply
does not turn on, and indicator light on keyboard does not turn on.

PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

Power cable is unplugged
Defective power cable
Power supply
failure
Faulty wall outlet; circuit
breaker or fuse blown
MODULE 6
Visually inspect power
cable.
Visual inspection or try
another cable.
Power cable and wall
socket are OK, but
system is still dead.
Plug device into socket
and test.
Make sure power cable is
securely plugged in.
Replace cable.
Contact technical support.
Use different socket, repair
outlet, reset circuit
breaker or replace fuse.

Problem 2: System is inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive
is spinning.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

CAUSE
Expansion card is Turn off computer. Using even pressure

Defective expansion Turn the computer off. Make sure expansion

card Remove an expansion card. card is secure in
expansion socket.

Problem 3: System does not boot from hard disk drive, but can be booted from floppy disk drive.
PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE

Damaged Hard Format hard disk; if unable to Contact Technical

Disk or do so, the Support.
Disk Controller
hard disk may be defective.

Hard Disk directory Run the FDISK program, Backing up the hard
or FAT is format the hard drive(See drive is extremely
 scrambled HARD DRIVE section of important. All Hard
manual). Copy your backup Disks are capable of
data back onto hard drive. breaking down at any
time.

Problem 4: System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications can be used,
but booting from Hard Disk is impossible.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

CAUSE
Hard Disk boot Corrupted system files Back up data and applications
program has been files.
destroyed. Reformat the Hard Drive as
described in the Hard Drive
section of the manual. Re-
install applications and data
using backup disks.

Problem 5: Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages indicators that
certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

CAUSE
Sector Not Found Hard drive is likely bad You may be able to resolve this
Error itself. issue by running scandisk and
having scandisk mark the
sectors as bad.

Problem 6: Disk formatted on IBM PS/2 will not operate with this system.
PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
The IBM PS/2 uses a IBM PS/2 disk format Format disk in the AT type
different format will not work in an AT computer. Insert disk into the
than other type computer. IBM PS/2 and copy the files you
computers. wish.

Problem 7: After installing an expansion card (network card, tape drive card, etc.), the system no
longer works properly.
PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Monitor has no All or part of the Change the
power. system may be interrupt or RAM
inoperable. The address on the
new card may new expansion
work but a card. See the
mouse or COM documentation
port may not that came with the
work. new card in order
to change pin
settings. Many
expansion
devices come
with proprietary
 software that will
assist you in
doing this.

Problem 8: Screen message says "Invalid Configuration" or "CMOS Failure."

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Incorrect Check the Review system's
information has configuration equipment. Make
entered into the program. sure correct
configuration Replace any information is in
(setup) program. incorrect setup.
information.

Problem 9: Screen is blank.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Monitor has no Power Check the power
power. connectors may connectors of
be loose or not the monitor and
plugged in. the system.
Make sure
monitor is
connected to
display card,
change I/O
address on
network card if
applicable.
Monitor is not See connections
connected to of the video
computer. cable from the
video adapter
card going to the
monitor.

Problem 10: System does not boot from hard disk drive, but can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION

Connector When attempting Check cable
between hard to run the FDISK running form disk
drive and system utility described to disk controller
board unplugged. in the HARD on the board.
DISK section of Make sure both
the manual you ends are securely
get a message, plugged in; check
INVALID the drive type in
the Standard
DRIVE
CMOS Setup (in
SPECIFICATION
your
.
motherboard).

Problem 11: Memory Module Problem

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
 Memory problem, Loose installation Reboot computer.
display card of the RAM on the Reinstall memory,
jumpers one not memory slot make sure that all
set correctly. memory modules
are installed in
correct sockets.
Check jumper and
switch settings on
display card. See
display card
section for
information of
settings.

Computer virus Computer system Use anti-virus

becomes too slow programs
and experiencing (McAfee/PC-cillin,
hang-up. E-port, etc.) to
detect and clean
viruses.

Problem 12: Screen goes blank periodically.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Screen saver is Disable screen
enabled. saver.
Problem 13: Keyboard failure
PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Keyboard is Loose keyboard Reconnect
disconnected. cable connection keyboard. Check
keys again if there
is no improvement,
replace keyboard.

Problem 14: No color on screen

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Faulty monitor If possible, connect
monitor to another
system. If no
display, replace
monitor.

Problem 15: Floppy drive light stays on.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Floppy Drive cable Shorted power wire Reconnect floppy
is not connected for floppy cable making sure
correctly. PIN1 on the Floppy
Drive corresponds
with PIN1 on floppy
cable connector.

Problem 16: Error reading drive A:

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Bad floppy disk Try new floppy disk.
Floppy disk is not Format floppy disk
formatted. (type
ENTER)

Problem 17: Windows system drive failure

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
SETUP program Boot from drive A:
does not have using
correct information. DOS system disk.
Input correct
information to
SETUP program.
Hard Drive cable is Check Hard drive
not connected cable.
properly.

Problem 18: Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive.
PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Master/Slave Set master /slave
jumpers are not jumpers
 set correctly. correctly.
The Hard Drive is Run SETUP
incompatible. program and
select correct
drive types. Call
drive
manufacturers
for compatibility
with other drives.

Problem 19: Missing operating system on Hard Drive

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
CMOS setup has Run setup and
been changed. select correct drive
type.

Problem 20: Certain keys do not function.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Keys are jammed Replace keyboard.
or defective.

Problem 21: Keyboard is locked, no keys function.

PROBABLE DIAGNOSIS SOLUTION
CAUSE
Keyboard is locked. Unlock keyboard.

Performance Task:
Essay. 5 points each

From the 21 Faulty System, Explain 5 Faulty System providing the Probable Cause, it's Diagnosis and Solution.