Grade

TLE - ICT
COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING
QUARTER 4 – MODULE 7
Testing Computer Systems

Prepared by:

GLYNEZ L. PRADO
Teacher III , San Jacinto National High School

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 In this self-learning module, it will focus on inspecting and testing configured computer
systems and networks. After reading all the topics and performing the essential skills you must be
able to:

• Identify and perform beep codes and possible solutions to the problem
• Inspect and test Testing Computer System

LESSON 4: TEST SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS

Testing Computer System

Is your PC healthy? Don't be too sure. Think back to when you heard a kerklunk sound
coming from the hard drive. Or maybe you remember the last time your Internet connection
was down.
The best way to find out what's wrong is to take a proactive approach: Check under
your PC's hood with the following mostly free diagnostic tools, and see if anything is amiss--
before disaster strikes.

Three Major Components of Computer System:

• Hardware
• Software
• Firmware
Test Your Hardware
Checking your computer hardware and its
peripherals
1. Computer Monitor and its peripherals Interface cables
 Monitor and interface cables
 Video card
 Monitor power cable

Video cards

Monitor power
cable

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2. Keyboard and Mouse
• Keyboard connector
• Mouse Connector

3. I/O port and devices

• Connection between the I/O port and the peripheral device
• A faulty cable between the I/O port and the peripheral device
• A faulty peripheral device
• Incorrect settings in the System Setup program
• Incorrect settings in the system's configuration files
• Faulty I/O port logic on the system board

I/O circuit board

4. Power supply

Fuse Power plug

Power supply

Testing Your Software

Check the different software installed in the computer.
1. Operating system
 Run live updates for your operating systems to get the latest patches and
protection for your OS.
 Run registry scanners to check the OS registry configuration
2. Application Software
 Check for live updates

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3. Anti-virus software
 Run anti-virus program
 Check for virus signature updates
 Check for spyware updates

Test Your Firmware

Firmware- is a combination of hardware and software integrated on a chip.

To test the firmware

Check for the correct configuration can accomplish this by configuring the BIOS in the computer

Sample Accomplishment Report Form

Task to be accomplished Status

Hardware component testing Working Not working

properly properly

Software testing Status

Working Not working

properly properly

Error Beep codes

When a PC is first switched on or reset it performs a special diagnostic test called a

POST (Power-On Self Test), to check all components in the PC, the POST program sends out a
signal to each device initializing each device's built-in self test procedure.

The POST test is a two stage process:

1. First, it will check all the basic components including among other things the
system clock, the processor, RAM, the keyboard controller and the
Video

2. After the video has been tested the BIOS will then indicate any
errors encountered by displaying either a numeric code or a text
message on the screen.
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When a device fails the first part of the POST, the BIOS will send a series of beeps from the
PC's speaker (internal) to inform the PC user that there is a problem these beeps are coded
allowing the user to diagnose the troublesome component. When the POST has been
completed successfully, the PC will make a short beep to let the user know everything is as it
should be.

Three (3) major brands of BIOS chip

1. AWARD BIOS
2. Phoenix BIOS
3. AMI BIOS
Each type of BIOS chip has it own error code

AMI BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES

Indicator Error message Solution

1 Beep Memory refresh failure Check memory

2 Beeps Memory parity error Check memory

3 Beeps Memory read/write error Check memory

4 Beeps Motherboard timer not functioning Replace motherboard/

5 Beeps Processor error Replace Processor

6 Beeps Gate A20/keyboard controller Replace motherboard

failure
7 Beeps Processor exception interrupt Replace Processor

8 Beeps Display memory read/write failure Replace video card

9 Beeps ROM checksum error Replace BIOS

chip/Motherboard
10 Beeps CMOS shutdown read/write error Replace BIOS
chip/Motherboard
11 Beeps Bad Cache memory Replace cache memory

Phoenix BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES

Phoenix BIOS beep codes are a series of beeps separated by a pause, for example:
beep --- beep beep --- beep --- beep beep would be 1-2-1-2

Indicator Error message Solution

1-1-4-1 Cache error Check cache memory

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 1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM Checksum Check BIOS ROM

1-3-1-1 DRAM test rate Check DRAM

1-3-1-3 Keyboard Controller Test Check Keyboard controller

1-3-4-1 RAM data bits of low memory bus Check Memory

1-3-4-3 RAM data bits of high memory bus Check Memory

1-4-1-1 ROM copyright notice Check Memory

2-1-2-3 Test for unexpected interrupt Check ROM

AWARD BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES

Indicator Error message Solution

One long beep and two Video error Replace video card
short beeps
Two short beeps Non-fatal error Reset RAM, Check other
components.

I. Directions: Enumerate the following.

Three (3) major brands of BIOS chip Three (3) software installed in the computer
1. __________________________ 7. __________________________
2. __________________________ 8. __________________________
3. __________________________ 9. __________________________

Three Major Components of Computer System: Computer Monitor and its peripherals
4. __________________________ 10. __________________________
5. __________________________ 11. __________________________
6. __________________________ 12. __________________________

II. Directions: Tell whether the following statements are true, otherwise, false.
_________1. Each type of BIOS chip has its own error code.
_________2. The best way to find out what's wrong is to take a proactive approach.
_________3. When a PC is first switched on, it performs a special diagnostic test called a BIOS.
_________4. The POST test is a one stage process.
_________5. Phoenix BIOS beep codes are a series of beeps separated by a pause.
_________6. When the POST has been completed successfully, the PC will make a long beep to let
the user know everything is as it should be.

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_________7. The POST program sends out a signal to each device initializing each device's built-in
self-test procedure.
_________8. Run live updates for your operating systems to get the latest patches and protection
for your OS.

III. Directions: Explain the two stage process of the Power on Self Test.

Part I
1. AWARD BIOS 12. Monitor power cable
2. Phoenix BIOS
3. AMI BIOS Part II
4. Hardware 1. TRUE
5. Software 2. TRUE
6. Firmware 3. FALSE
7. Operating System 4. FALSE
8. Application Software 5. TRUE
9. Anti-virus Software 6. FALSE
7. TRUE
10. Monitor and interface cables
8. TRUE
11. Video card

Part III.
1. First, it will check all the basic components including among other things the system clock,
the processor, RAM, the keyboard controller and the Video
2. After the video has been tested the BIOS will then indicate any errors encountered by
displaying either a numeric code or a text message on the screen.
(*Note: Student’s responses should be relevant to the answers provided.)

Name: _______________________________________________________________Date: _____________

Grade/Section: ________________________________________________________Score: _____________

I-Completing the table :Direction: Complete the table by answering the indicator column.
Item number Indicator Error message
AMI BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES
1 _______________ RAM data bits of low memory bus
2 _______________ Test for unexpected interrupt
3 _______________ DRAM test rate
4 _______________ Cache error
5 _______________ Keyboard Controller Test
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 6 _______________ ROM copyright notice
7 _______________ BIOS ROM Checksum
8 _______________ RAM data bits of high memory bus
AWARD BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES
9 _______________ Video error
10 _______________ Non-fatal error

II-Identification: Direction: Identify what is being asked.

___________1. It is a combination of hardware and software integrated on a chip.
___________2. It is the process when a PC is first switched on or reset it performs a special diagnostic
test to check all components in the PC.
___________3. You have to think back when you heard a what type of sound coming from the hard
drive.
___________4. When a device fails the first part of the POST, this will send a series of beeps from
the PC's speaker.
___________5. The best way to find out what's wrong to your computer is to take what type of
approach.

III-Performance Task: (10 pts.)

Direction: Complete the table for AMI BIOS ERROR BEEP CODES by supplying the columns for
error message and the solution.
Indicator Error message Solution
1 Beep
2 Beeps
3 Beeps
4 Beeps
5 Beeps
6 Beeps
7 Beeps
8 Beeps
9 Beeps
10 Beeps
11 Beeps

References:

Technology and Livelihood Education – Grade 9

Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2013

Images used:
https://freepikpsd.com/evaluation-png-transparent-images-2/757419/
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-an-introduction/
https://www.vexels.com/png-svg/preview/157931/curved-check-mark-circle-icon
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/hands-holding-letters-red-task-2886016/
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