Easy PC Troubleshooting

Do not plan a funeral yet as your computer may just appear to be dead. Often times, it’s a cable problem so unplug and plug the cable from the computer and the outlet. Do this with the power turned off so to avoid electrocution. Reboot. Listen to any beeping sounds as you do so to alert you of any other problems that cause the PC to act dead.

This happened to me when I was using my old computer. Now there are several ways on how to make a quick-fix if your keyboard is not working. Check the plug if it’s connected securely. Unplug and plug just to be sure. Re-boot your computer and if while doing so, the machine makes a beeping noise, then the keyboard is still not working. Check the indicator on the keyboard if it’s lit up, try to press the locks (number lock, caps lock etc.), if it doesn’t work, then the keyboard itself may be the problem and have to be replaced.

Wanna listen to music while typing away your due-the-next-day report but no sound comes out of your computer speakers?

There can be two problems that may occur independently or both.

First is the volume control. Check the volume control of your computer. It’s the speaker icon on your taskbar. Double click and slide the tabs to adjust. Make sure that the mute option is not ticked.

The other is hardware-related. Check the cord if it is plugged properly from speakers to computer. Remove and plug again.

I’ve been very guilty of committing this mistake. It also doesn’t help that I am a little bit of a neat freak (or is obsessive compulsive/anal retentive a better term?). I often make changes to my PC in attempt to organize files and programs. Now there are times that what I’ve done actually can’t be undone. This proves to be pretty frustrating at times.

The best way to prevent this problem is of course – practicing caution. Record old settings and save old drives before changing settings and installing new drivers. If you have enough space, then do not delete old files if you plan to replace them. What I do is actually make an “Archive Folder” where I move my old files. I know a friend who simply modifies the names of old files to differentiate them from the replacements.

Of course, don’t forget to back up everything, twice!

Oh yeah, a problem that always occurs. Don’t panic, my dear friend. If a message stating this error pops on your screen, then it means that you have one of these problems:

Your Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) cable is loosely connected. Check the IDE cable and make sure if both ends are fully plugged in.

Another problem may be that the IDE cable is reversed. Yes, this can happen. Check if one or both ribbon cables are actually connected in the right way. What right way? Pin 1 should align with Pin 1 on the drive. Just look for the side that is incorrect and flip it around.

If it’s not the IDE cable, then it may be your power supply. Check if you have power to the floppy drive.

Another variation of the problem is that the drive is probably attached to the wrong side of the twist. The twist reverses voltages and is found between the two drive connectors of IDE cables. You can swap the floppy drive by enabling it in the BIO. It is simpler though to just attach the drive to the other plug.

To avoid difficulty in installing computer processor, don’t forget to take note of the following: Turn off the computer and unplug all connections and make sure to write down the important information from the processor like the model and serial numbers and other specifics.

If another processor has already been previously installed, it must be detached first before installing a new processor. If the processor comes with a heat sink, remove the heat sink first.

You don’t have to remove the heat sink if the processor is a slot processor. A slot processor may be removed by locating two tabs on either side of the processor, then carefully shift the slots outward to easily take out the processor.

Your PC seemed okay at the start. It booted up fine. But after about an hour of using it, it hanged. What to do?

The first move you’d probably do is check if it is a memory related glitch. You may resort to using a PC Memory Diagnostic software to help you find out what’s wrong with the memory. If however the test results came out well, the next step would be to isolate and check other problem areas such as Motherboard, CPU or other hardware.

Take note too that failures in hardware are usually due to the age of the memory components. Sometimes the defective memory module socket, dirty contacts, cold solder joints and memory module can cause the problem.