Computers and Technology

When computers fail we are helpless. Sometimes the failure is due to a virus attack. However, other hardware failures could be the source of the problem. With new computers there are some simple hardware component replacements that fix ailing computers. These are simple replacements that literally anyone can do with a screwdriver and patience. Most often the failed component to replace is the power supply, the hard disk drive, or a failed CD or DVD drive. This article helps you determine the source of the computer failure so that if it is a simple problem, you could repair your computer. Alternatively, you would know when to have a professional help you repair your computer after the problem is identified.

Let us start from scratch. In this case we have our malfunctioning computer powered off. The first step is to power it on and observe. When the power button is hit, do lights light up in the computer? On both tower computers and laptop computers there are lights that light when power is applied. A good idea is to take a picture of your computer when it is running properly so it helps you remember how it looks, what lights are lighted, and what the color of the lights are. Good power to the computer is often indicated by a green or blue light. Orange lights indicate a malfunction and indicate that the computer has power somewhere.

When there are no lights, the power supply is likely to be the source of the failure. Laptop external transformers can be tested and replaced. They run under $100. There are aftermarket replacements. The next test for a laptop and a desktop computer is to use a new external laptop transformer or a new power supply as a test for the failed power supply.

Power supplies for desktop computers are available on-line and from local stores. They also cost around $100. A new supply does not need to be installed in a computer to test the power supply. Just lay the computer on its side with the chassis open, place the new power supply on top the old power supply, disconnect the old power supply one connector at a time, and connect the equivalent connector into the computer one power supply connector at a time. Once the new power supply is connected try powering on the computer. This tests the power supply.

A new power supply that provides more watts is fine. This means a 300 W power supply can be replaced by a 500 W power supply. It is best not to reduce power supply wattage (replace a 500 W power supply with a 300 W power supply), but OK to increase it. Power connections to floppy disk drives can easily short out the power supply when the connector is not plugged in precisely correct. If the computer does not turn on, then disconnect the floppy drive power and try with the floppy drive power disconnected. Finally, all power supply connections are keyed and have a connector clip. When connecting the power connectors make sure the connector clip is lined up correctly.

If the new transformer does not fix the laptop computer power, then you can return the laptop to the manufacturer for repairs or buy a new laptop. If you buy a new laptop, the data can be removed from the old laptop's hard disk drive and moved to the new laptop's hard disk drive. With a desktop PC, just un-bolt the old power supply and bolt in the new one. Replacing the power supply in a computer is cleaner and easier than replacing the spark plugs in a car.

Now let us return to our troubleshooting. The next possible error indication is that the computer does not boot and there is no display. Monitors have a light on the bottom right. When this light is green, the computer is sending a video signal to the monitor. If the light is a large, then the computer is not sending a video signal to the monitor.

When there is no video signal sent to the monitor, it indicates that the problem resides in the computer hardware. This suggests that we look inside the computer itself and check the Main Logic Board (MLB) capacitors (these are round tower like components that stick up from the MLB). Main Logic Boards fail when they are five years or older due to the capacitors on the MLB failing. The capacitors burst causing a complete failure of the MLB. When this occurs, the solution is purchasing a new computer.

When a computer is first powered on, it typically displays the BIOS setup information prior to attempting to start Windows. This information should flash briefly on the monitor as the computer starts. When it does, this shows that the computer itself and the display are operating properly. After this display, Windows can boot to a black or blue screen. The is sometimes referred to as the "blue screen of death". In either case there is no starting Windows. This error points to a failed hard disk drive. It typically means that the computer is working fine, but the disk drive has failed provide information to the computer needed to start Windows. Because you cannot boot into Windows, there is no way to test the disk drive. In this event the disk drive must be removed from the computer and attach to a another Windows computer for testing. The disk drive test command in Windows is CHKDSK /R. When this command is run in Windows, it tests the disk drive, corrects any data corruption on the disk drive, and determines if there are physical errors on the drive.

Physical drive errors are indicated by any number greater than zero in the bad sectors test results report. When physical errors or bad sectors are reported, it means that your disk drive has cancer. While the drive is not dead, it should be replaced immediately and the data copied from it to the new drive. Continued use of a drive with bad sectors, risks losing all the data on the drive. The difficult part of replacing a hard disk drive is copying all the data from the old drive to the new drive. There are programs that permit imaging the entire hard disk drive and then onto a new hard disk drive. If an image is successfully created and then copy to a new disk drive, the Windows computer often returns to normal operation as though nothing has happened.

In some cases when the Windows data is placed on a new disk drive, Windows still fails to start. In this event installing Windows over Windows for Windows XP or installing a fresh copy of Windows for Windows 7 typically fixes the problem. To install a completely fresh copy of Windows in either case (Windows XP or Windows 7) while preserving the data on the disk drive it is only necessary to delete the Windows folder from the drive on which the fresh copy of Windows is to be installed. It is also a good idea to rename the Documents and Settings or the Users folders so that the data contained in them is preserved.

This completes the basic PC hardware troubleshooting procedure. When a computer boots into Windows and still has problems, then it is likely a software issue. Software issues are commonly resolved by reinstalling Windows or by removing viruses and little use software from the computer. A complete procedure for removing viruses and spyware is beyond what I can present in this article. A detailed virus removal and spyware procedure is covered in my "Pete The Nerd's Do It Yourself Virus Removal" book. The goal of this article was to get you started in troubleshooting your PC and to give you some idea of what the next effective steps to pursue are so that you may return your PC to normal operation.

Thank you for your time.

Pete the Nerd
"Your Friend on a Technically Challenged Planet©"

©P D Moulton