When Windows hangs, we get very annoyed. Especially if you did not have time to save an important document or edited photo.
And if the computer hangs up with the regularity of the change of day, that is, every day, then I can even imagine how your eye twitches from stress. If in such situations when windows 7, 8 or 10 hangs, you do not know what to do, then this small guide is designed to fill these gaps and guide you along the right path in order to eliminate the causes of computer freezing once and for all.
With the help of this simple guide, you will be able to diagnose any case of computer failure within a couple of minutes.
1. What is a computer crash?
This article will focus on the unexpected crash of a computer-based operating system Windows and ways to identify identify the problem of freezes.
Computer crashes happen for a variety of reasons. An ordinary PC user can encounter computer freezes more than once during work or entertainment. PC crashes often occur due to the fact that the computer is broken or the operating system is damaged.
Just want to warn inexperienced users. Any freezes or sudden reboots of the computer are not yet a diagnosis that the computer is broken and should, at best, be sent for expensive repairs, and at worst, go to the store for a new computer.
As long as no intentional harm is done to your PC in the form of physical damage, power surges, you can diagnose the problem of freezes and crashes on your own or by resorting to reading this article.
Computer crash
1.1. PC failure is
The easiest way to explain what a PC crash is is to understand how a computer boots from start to finish. The computer, from the moment the ON button is pressed to the moment the working word is loaded, performs several steps, which in brief are as follows:
- Enabling the ON button on the system unit;
- The BIOS chip checks which hardware components are connected to the system board and the computer's power supply. If all tests pass, the BIOS accesses the boot sector of the disk that is listed first;
- The boot sector usually contains a master boot record (Master Boot Record, MBR), which contains a table of disk partitions, one of which is active;
- MBR defines active partition and transfers control to the boot record, which is usually located in the first sector of the active partition.
From this step, all hardware errors that may occur due to hardware malfunctions end and software failures of the operating system begin. In this case, if the BIOS diagnoses an error in the operation of a faulty component, then you will see the corresponding error message on the screen.
- Next, using the boot record, the boot loader of the operating system is launched;
- The boot manager reads the system configuration data and prompts you to select a system to boot if there is more than one;
- Next, the operating system boot modules, kernel components and the kernel itself, system services and other components are launched;
- Then a process is loaded that manages user logins. In this case, if there is one user on the computer, then the desktop will be loaded automatically. Otherwise, the system will prompt you to select the user for whom you want to download the desktop;
- During the user's login to the desktop, all the elements registered there are loaded from autoload.
If we imagine all these steps of loading the operating system as a logical chain, then any PC failure is caused by a break in this chain.
Thus, if a PC crash occurs at one of the steps in the computer boot process, then you can already determine what type of failure: hardware or software.
Of course, PC crashes can also happen if the PC is already running. We will talk about this further.
1.2. PC hardware failure
Unlike failure software, diagnosing hardware failures is much easier. The chance that a hardware component will fail and you won't know which one is pretty low. As mentioned above, during the boot of the computer, the BIOS immediately diagnoses the non-working component of the computer and tells you about it. But it can be assumed that, for example, a hardware component failure does not occur immediately, but during the operation of the computer, for example, when it heats up or is heavily loaded during games or video conversion.
What PC components can malfunction and go unnoticed?
motherboards- provides interaction between almost all hardware components. All your flash drives, hard drives or solid state drives are connected to the mother mother. A damaged (faulty capacitor, faulty port, short circuit of the microcircuit) motherboard will cause the PC to reboot frequently or not turn on at all. Power surges in the electrical network can burn the motherboard beyond the possibility of recovery. Defective slots such as PCI or RAM slots can also lead to similar problems. But, as a rule, motherboards are rarely the cause of frequent PC crashes.
CPU(CPU) / GPU(Video card) - on most PCs, the reasons for frequent shutdowns can be precisely the central processor or video card. The central processing unit handles most of the computer's tasks increasingly in multitasking mode. GPU handles the events necessary to display graphics on the monitor screen. Overheating of these two important components- the main problem of their failure. The CPU or graphics card automatically shuts down when it reaches a certain temperature threshold. This mechanism protects them from destruction. But I do not advise you not to pay attention to frequent computer shutdowns due to overheating of the CPU and GPU. Sometimes the cost of these two components is two-thirds of the cost of the entire PC. And if you are not a computer enthusiast and an experienced overclocker, then I advise you to periodically clean your PC from dust and check the operation of coolers for CPU and video card.
power unit- the power supply provides the electrical power necessary to start and operate all other components of the PC. A poor-quality power supply can ruin your computer, especially if the electrical network of your apartment suffers from frequent power surges. Incorrect voltage, power surges, power surges, and the like can cause serious damage to all PC components. In addition, the poor performance of the built-in fan in the power supply can cause it to overheat and fail.
1.3. PC software failure
The three main causes of software failure are: OS corruption, program crash, and driver failure. Of the three, driver failure is the most common. Various drivers connect to, and control, various hardware components.
OS crash- an operating system error occurs as a result of a defect in the operating system. This type of error indicates that system files damaged or missing. OS files can get corrupted for two main reasons:
- Disk sectors failure;
- Required system files are missing.
Disk sector defects occur when a physical hard drive is damaged or worn out. Files cannot be read on a damaged hard drive, which is why OS errors and crashes occur.
On the other hand, the problem may stem from the lack of the necessary system files, which are simply not enough. This sometimes happens due to the presence of viruses, whose tasks include damaging or deleting the system files of the operating system. Therefore, if during a certain task that the user or the operating system encounters a shortage of any important files, the OS will crash and the computer will be sent, at best, to reboot.
Software failure- if the program cannot perform the operation that the user has given it, then it will crash, but the operating system, as a rule, continues to work properly. And if the program causes the operating system to freeze, then the problem is not in the program at all. In this case, the malfunction should be sought in a more hidden problem. For example, if your computer crashes every time you use a web browser Google Chrome, this may be the result of a RAM failure. If your computer crashes every time you start playing a game, then your graphics card may be under severe strain due to its cooler failure. Therefore, do not rush to sin on a program that you do not want to work correctly for you. Maybe it's not about her at all. Next, we will figure out where to look for the source of the error.
Driver failure- driver failure can be considered one of the special cases of software failure. Drivers act as a layer between the operating system and all computer components, from the mouse to the printer. A crash in the driver, as a rule, causes the operating system to go into a reboot. Dear Manufacturers computer technology and components often release updates and new versions of drivers themselves if many users experience driver failures. Therefore, if you have problems with one or another driver that comes with the device, I advise you to look at the official website of the manufacturer and make sure that the driver version you have is up to date.
2. Symptoms of PC crashes
Vital importance have the so-called symptoms of computer failures, which can be noticed by an attentive user. The operating system will not write these symptoms for you in the form of error messages. Typically, these are computer performance indicators that act as information that can be used to troubleshoot PC problems and crashes. Crash symptoms do not indicate specific problems, they just suggest that there are some problems that are causing such crash symptoms. For example:
The sound stutters is a sure sign that your computer is about to start to seriously crash or stop responding and freeze. A stuttering or buzzing sound can be either an audio problem or part of another more serious PC problem.
BSOD (blue screen death) is a noticeable sign of PC failure. Simply put, a blue screen error is the most popular operating system reaction when a computer crashes. Moreover, the blue screen of death shows an error on the site, the meaning of which can be found on the Internet, for example,.
Windows 10 BSOD with error code
Screen off. Sometimes the computer continues to work and does not go to restart during a crash. Turning off the screen is often associated with errors in the operation of the video card. This does not mean that the GPU is defective, the video card may not be fully inserted into the PCI slot xpress or drivers installed incorrectly, corrupted, or need to be reinstalled. At the same time, the connecting cables that connect the monitor to the system unit can also give a percentage of the probability of turning off the screen, although it is 0.5% of all cases of problems with the video card.
No PC response. PC freezes are often the first signs of a PC failure. The lack of PC response is the complete lack of mouse movement, the response of keystrokes on the keyboard, the audio playback stop and the image freezing on the screen. There is nothing you can do here, except forcibly turn off the computer and then turn it on again.
3. Practice fixing PC errors
Troubleshooting is best done according to some pattern. It is better not to shelve simple failures and errors in the operation of the PC if possible, but to eliminate them immediately. Difficult problems can be postponed and replaced by other more important matters, especially since it will sometimes take up to several hours to eliminate such problems. In addition, some of the PC problems may occur on a monthly basis, while others appear on a daily basis.
Next, I advise you to go through the steps of each section from the first to the last, to make sure that you act in accordance with the severity of the problem. This general procedure search for any fault. If the step didn't work, then go to the next step.
3.1 First failure
Just restart your computer. If your computer hangs during a crash and you can't force it to restart, then press and hold your computer's power button for a few seconds until it turns off. Then turn on your computer again. Further, the computer will either work without the previously detected error, or the failure will repeat. If the problem occurs while the computer is booting up to the 4th step from , then with 99% accuracy it can be argued that this is a hardware failure. Will have to open system unit And:
Check power connection- If the PC component is not receiving power, or is not receiving enough power, it will not work. Make sure the components are properly connected to the power supply. Even if you are not an electrician by profession, it is very easy to deal with the power supply of the components of the system unit. The main rule is that from the power supply, cables should go to the hard drive, DVD or Blue-raw drive, video card, processor socket and the common thickest cable to the motherboard.
Check input cables- Make sure that the input cables from external devices to the system unit are in working order. The variety of peripherals for each computer is individual, but almost every computer has a mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers. And they all have a wire that is connected to the system unit. The connection of such a wire needs to be checked, perhaps one of them departs or is not plugged in at all.
3.2 The problem recurs
speedfan- download . The utility allows you to immediately after starting to diagnose which component of the system unit is the source of overheating for the computer. Download and install the utility, on the tab Readings the speed indicators of the connected fans of the system unit and the temperature indicators of all PC components are displayed. Abnormalities will glow red, indicating problems with the PC specific device: video card, hard disk.
Speedfan - temperature
In addition, on the tab charts you can see temperature graphs, fan speeds and voltage readings of important PC components.
SpeedFan - charts
HWMonitor- download . The utility is even simpler than SpeedFan, It allows you to monitor the voltage and temperature readings of all computer components. If any of the components in your PC exceed 80-90 degrees without heavy load, then this is the first sign that you need to take measures to cool it.
HWMonitor
The main cause of overheating, as a rule, is the running state of the system unit and the mountain of accumulated dust. Clean your PC and take measurements again.
4.1.2. Component Stress Testing
Stress test of the video card (GPU) - The best way see obvious problems with the video card. Stress testing will put a 100% load on the graphics cards, forcing them to perform at their maximum. Therefore, if your computer shuts down while playing a game, it's a good idea to check the stability of your graphics card.
Furmark or Unigine: Valley good stress tests for the video card. During the test, make sure that your computer does not overheat. If the computer turns off during the test, and the video card is not overclocked, then problems with the video card are obvious. To start fixing the problem, try inserting the video card into the slot again and update or reinstall the video card drivers.
Processor (CPU) stress test tests multitasking (among other things), not graphical abilities. You should run a similar test if any brakes and delays occur when you run several heavy programs at the same time, for example, for editing images and converting videos, rendering a 3D model, and so on.
Prime95 or stress tests, which contain a sufficient number of special tests that can load the processor with a variety of tasks. CPU stress testing, unlike graphics card stress testing, often takes longer. So be prepared to spend up to several hours stress testing the CPU.
Stress test of random access memory (RAM)- detection of RAM errors during stress tests. RAM errors can lead to frequent shutdowns unless the memory stick is replaced with a new one. Windows has a built-in Windows Memory Checker. To use it, in the menu START, type "memory diagnostics" and run Windows Memory Checker.
Windows Memory Checker
The first option will immediately send the computer to restart. Get ready for it. This is necessary so that there is no extraneous data in the RAM during the test that can occupy problem areas of memory. If you want to postpone the RAM test, select the second option.
memtest- the best RAM test, but it will require external drive USB or CD drive. In addition, you need to change the boot order in the BIOS, putting the media with MemTest first.
Hard disk check. It's no secret that hard drives wear out over time. But even during operation, the file system of the disk may be faulty. Disk drive errors not only lead to frequent PC crashes, but also give great risks of losing important data stored on them.
To scan a drive for errors, use File Explorer to find your drive (for example, the C: drive). Next, right-click on it, select Properties, go to the tab Service and press the button Check.
Running Check Disk
I warn you that the computer may be restarted. If errors are found during the scan, the disk check utility will fix them immediately. If fixing errors on the hard drive is not possible, then get ready to replace the drive soon.
It is better to entrust the storage of important data to services and services on the Internet, and not to hope that your hard drive will not fail. The problem of losing important data always comes unexpectedly, and along with the disk, you can lose the most expensive files.
4.2. Analysis of PC software failures
4.2.1. Operating system troubleshooting. If your computer stops starting or boots up with failures, then the matter is clearly in violation of the integrity of the files of the Windows operating system. In order to repair corrupted files of the Windows operating system, let's turn to the built-in system file checker. The System File Checker command will Windows check, repair and replace damaged system files. Open the menu START and type cmd. Right click on the program Command line and in context menu select Run as administrator. In an elevated command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The team will scan system partition and restore all corrupted Windows system files.
sfc /scannow
4.2.2. Troubleshooting Operating System Boot. If your computer does not boot at all, then there may be two options for why this happened.
- hard disk driver, motherboard(less often than other devices) was not correctly updated by you, and after rebooting the system could not boot normally;
- There was a software failure of the Windows operating system associated with the installed updates.
So, in order to troubleshoot Windows 10 boot, you must have installation disk DVD or USB with operating Windows system 10. After booting into system recovery mode, you have three recovery options. Choose for yourself the most preferable.
Windows 10 System Restore
If an incorrectly updated driver is to blame, then I advise you to boot the computer in safe mode and from there do the following in Device Manager:
Right-click on the device whose driver has been updated. From the context menu, select Properties, and then click the tab Driver. Click the button Roll back driver to revert to the previous version of the driver for the device, or Delete so that you can try to install the driver again on your own.
I advise you to use the Snail Driver utility to install or update drivers automatically, which will allow you to install or update all drivers for all devices in the system in just two clicks.
5. Windows Event Log
Sometimes, only Windows log events will help pinpoint the source of PC errors and crashes. Windows Event Viewer will tell you in detail what is happening with your applications, operating system and computer in general. This is the only source where you can find application crash errors, operating system warnings about malfunctions in various services and components.
Windows event log
I advise you to periodically look into the Event Viewer snap-in to be sure that the computer and operating system are working properly. Do not try to eliminate all warnings marked yellow triangle. But you need to know about their existence in order to understand what this or that warning can turn out to be for a computer. So do not ignore such warnings and try to analyze the source of the error. Perhaps this is just advice from the operating system or software.
The red icon indicates operating system and application errors. If the event table in Windows log, is replete with such entries, then you need to pay attention to errors as soon as possible and deal with them immediately. Inaction can be very costly for you.
Summing up...
The system unit of a computer, like a laptop, consists of many components that work together and make up the concept of "computer". Therefore, if one component fails, then the computer simply will not work normally. Each hardware failure is usually a failure of one of the PC components. The system unit in this regard is more advantageous than a laptop, because it allows even an inexperienced user to find out which device has failed.
A software failure can be diagnosed and eliminated by the same means for both a laptop and a system unit.
If even after reading this guide you still have the question "Why does Windows hang?", Write about it in the comments. I'll try to help you.
Many PC owners are faced with various errors and failures in the computer, but cannot determine the cause of the problem. In this article, we will look at the main ways to diagnose a computer, allowing you to independently identify and fix various problems.
Keep in mind that high-quality computer diagnostics can take a whole day, allocate it in the morning specifically for this, and do not start everything in the late afternoon.
I warn you that I will write in detail as for beginners who have never disassembled a computer in order to warn about all the possible nuances that can lead to problems.
1. Disassembling and cleaning the computer
When disassembling and cleaning the computer, do not rush, do everything carefully so as not to damage anything. Store the accessories in a safe place prepared in advance.
It is not advisable to start diagnostics before cleaning, since you will not be able to identify the cause of the malfunction if it is caused by clogged contacts or the cooling system. Additionally, diagnostics may fail to complete due to repeated failures.
Unplug the system unit from the outlet at least 15 minutes before cleaning to allow the capacitors to discharge.
Perform disassembly in the following sequence:
- Disconnect all wires from the system unit.
- Remove both side covers.
- Disconnect the power connectors from the video card and remove it.
- Remove all memory sticks.
- Disconnect and remove the cables from all drives.
- Unscrew and remove all discs.
- Disconnect all power supply cables.
- Unscrew and remove the power supply.
There is no need to remove the motherboard, CPU cooler, case fans, you can also leave the DVD drive if it works fine.
Gently blow out the system unit and all components individually with a powerful stream of air from a vacuum cleaner without a dust bag.
Carefully remove the cover from the power supply and blow it through without touching the electrical components and the board with your hands and metal parts, as there may be voltage in the capacitors!
If your vacuum cleaner does not work for blowing out, but only for blowing in, then it will be a little more difficult. Clean it well so that it pulls as hard as possible. We recommend using a soft bristle brush when cleaning.
You can also use a soft brush to remove stubborn dust.
Thoroughly clean the CPU cooler heatsink, first considering where and how much dust it has clogged with dust, as this is one of the common causes of CPU overheating and PC crashes.
Also make sure that the cooler mount is not broken, the clamp is not open and the heatsink is firmly pressed against the processor.
Be careful when cleaning the fans, do not let them spin too much and do not bring the vacuum cleaner nozzle close if it is without a brush, so as not to beat off the blade.
At the end of cleaning, do not rush to collect everything back, but proceed to the next steps.
2. Checking the motherboard battery
The first thing after cleaning, so as not to forget later, I check the battery charge on the motherboard, and at the same time reset the BIOS. In order to pull it out, you need to press the latch with a flat screwdriver in the direction indicated in the photo and it will pop out by itself.
After that, you need to measure its voltage with a multimeter, optimally if it is in the range of 2.5-3 V. The initial voltage of the battery is 3 V.
If the battery voltage is below 2.5 V, then it is advisable to change it already. The voltage of 2 V is critically low and the PC is already starting to fail, which manifests itself in resetting the BIOS settings and stopping at the beginning of the PC boot, prompting you to press F1 or some other key to continue booting.
If you do not have a multimeter, you can take the battery with you to the store and ask them to check it or just buy a replacement battery in advance, it is standard and very inexpensive.
A clear sign of a dead battery is the constantly flying date and time on the computer.
The battery needs to be changed in a timely manner, but if you don’t have a replacement on hand now, then simply do not disconnect the system unit from the power supply until you change the battery. In this case, the settings should not fly off, but problems can still arise, so do not delay.
Checking the battery is a good time for a full BIOS reset. At the same time, not only BIOS settings, which can be done through the Setup menu, but also the so-called volatile CMOS memory, which stores the parameters of all devices (processor, memory, video card, etc.).
Errors inCMOSare often the cause of the following problems:
- computer does not turn on
- turns on once
- turns on and nothing happens
- turns on and off
I remind you that before resetting the BIOS, the system unit must be unplugged from the outlet, otherwise the CMOS will be powered by the PSU and nothing will work.
To reset the BIOS for 10 seconds, close the contacts in the battery connector with a screwdriver or other metal object, this is usually enough to discharge the capacitors and complete cleaning CMOS.
A sign that the reset has occurred will be a lost date and time that will need to be set in the BIOS the next time the computer boots.
4. Visual inspection of components
Carefully inspect all capacitors on the motherboard for swelling and leakage, especially in the area of \u200b\u200bthe processor socket.
Sometimes capacitors do not bulge up, but down, which causes them to tilt as if they were just slightly bent or unevenly soldered.
If some capacitors are swollen, then you need to send the motherboard for repair as soon as possible and ask to re-solder all the capacitors, including those that are next to the swollen ones.
Also inspect the capacitors and other elements of the power supply, there should be no swelling, drips, signs of burning.
Inspect the disc contacts for oxidation.
They can be cleaned with an eraser and after that it is imperative to replace the cable or power adapter with which this disk was connected, since it is already damaged and oxidation has most likely occurred due to it.
In general, check all the cables and connectors so that they are clean, with shiny contacts, tightly connected to the drives and the motherboard. All cables that do not meet these requirements must be replaced.
Check that the wires from the front of the case to the motherboard are connected correctly.
It is important that the polarity is observed (plus to plus, minus to minus), since there is a total mass on the front panel and non-observance of the polarity will lead to a short circuit, due to which the computer may behave inappropriately (turn on every other time, turn itself off or reboot) .
Where the plus and minus in the contacts of the front panel is indicated on the board itself, in the paper manual for it and in the electronic version of the manual on the manufacturer's website. On the wire contacts from the front panel, it is also indicated where the plus and minus are. Usually the white wire is negative, and the positive connector can be indicated by a triangle on the plastic connector.
Many even experienced builders make a mistake here, so check.
5. Checking the power supply
If the computer did not turn on at all before cleaning, then do not rush to assemble it, the first thing to do is check the power supply. However, in any case, it won’t hurt to check the PSU, maybe it’s because of it that the computer fails.
Check the power supply when fully assembled to avoid electric shock, short circuit, or accidental fan failure.
To check the power supply, short the only green wire in the motherboard connector with any black one. This will signal to the PSU that it is connected to the motherboard, otherwise it will not turn on.
Then turn the power supply into the surge protector and press the button on it. Do not forget that the power supply itself may also have an on / off button.
A spinning fan should be a sign of turning on the power supply. If the fan does not spin, then it may have failed and needs to be replaced.
In some silent power supplies, the fan may not start spinning immediately, but only under load, this is normal and can be checked during PC operation.
Use a multimeter to measure the voltage between the pins in the connectors for peripheral devices.
They should be approximately in the following range.
- 12 V (yellow-black) - 11.7-12.5 V
- 5 V (red-black) - 4.7-5.3 V
- 3.3 V (orange-black) - 3.1-3.5 V
If any voltage is missing or goes far beyond the specified limits, then the power supply is faulty. It is best to replace it with a new one, but if the computer itself is inexpensive, then repairs are allowed, PSUs lend themselves to this easily and inexpensively.
The start of the power supply and normal voltages is a good sign, but in itself it does not mean that the power supply is good, since failures can occur due to voltage drops or ripple under load. But this is already determined in the subsequent stages of testing.
6. Checking the power contacts
Be sure to check all electrical contacts from the outlet to the system unit. The socket must be modern (for a European plug), reliable and not loose, with clean elastic contacts. The same requirements apply to the surge protector and cable from the computer power supply.
Contact must be reliable, plugs and connectors must not dangle, spark or be oxidized. Pay close attention to this, as poor contact is often the cause of failure of the system unit, monitor, and other peripheral devices.
If you have a suspicion of a power outlet, surge protector, power cable for a system unit or monitor, then change them as soon as possible to avoid damaging your computer. Do not delay and do not skimp on this, as repairing a PC or monitor will cost significantly more.
Also, poor contact is often the cause of PC failures, which are accompanied by a sudden shutdown or reboot, followed by failures on the hard drive and, as a result, disruption of the operating system.
More failures can occur due to voltage drops or ripples in the 220 V network, especially in the private sector and remote areas of the city. In this case, failures can occur even when the computer is idle. Try to measure the voltage at the outlet immediately after a spontaneous shutdown or reboot of the computer and observe the readings for a while. So you can identify long-term drawdowns, from which a linear-interactive UPS with a stabilizer will save.
7. Assembling and turning on the computer
After cleaning and inspecting the PC, carefully assemble it and carefully check that you have connected everything you need. If the computer refused to turn on before cleaning or turned on every other time, then it is advisable to connect the components in turn. If there were no such problems, then skip the next section.
7.1. Step by step PC build
First, connect the motherboard power connector and the processor power connector to the motherboard with the processor. Do not insert RAM, video card and do not connect disks.
Power on the PC and if motherboard Everything is fine, the CPU cooler fan should spin. Also, if a buzzer is connected to the motherboard, a beep code usually sounds, indicating the lack of RAM.
Memory installation
Turn off the computer with a short or (if not possible) long press of the power button on the system unit and insert one stick of RAM into the colored slot closest to the processor. If all slots are the same color, then just the one closest to the processor.
Make sure that the memory bar is inserted evenly, all the way and the latches snap into place, otherwise it may be damaged when you turn on the PC.
If the computer starts up with one memory bar and there is a beep, then a code usually sounds, signaling that there is no video card (if there is no integrated graphics). If the beep code indicates problems with the RAM, then try inserting another bar in the same place. If the problem continues or if there is no other bar, then move the bar to another nearest slot. If there are no sounds, then everything is probably fine, continue on.
Turn off the computer and insert the second stick of memory into the slot of the same color. If the motherboard has 4 slots of the same color, then follow the instructions for the motherboard so that the memory is in the slots recommended for dual-channel mode. Then turn it on again and check if the PC turns on and what beeps it makes.
If you have 3 or 4 sticks of memory, then just insert them in turn, each time turning off and on the PC. If the computer does not start with a certain bar or gives a memory error code, then this bar is faulty. You can also check the motherboard slots by rearranging the work bar in different slots.
Some motherboards have a red indicator that glows in case of memory problems, and sometimes a segment indicator with an error code, the decoding of which is in the motherboard manual.
If the computer starts, then further memory testing occurs at another stage.
Installing a graphics card
It's time to test the video card by inserting it into the top PCI-E x16 slot (or AGP for older PCs). Do not forget to connect additional power to the video card with the appropriate connectors.
With a video card, the computer should start normally, without beeps, or with a single beep, indicating a normal self-test.
If the PC does not turn on or emits a beep error code for the video card, then it is most likely defective. But do not rush to conclusions, sometimes you just need to connect a monitor and keyboard.
Monitor connection
Turn off the PC and connect the monitor to the video card (or motherboard if there is no video card). Make sure that the connector to the video card and the monitor is connected tightly, sometimes tight connectors do not go all the way, which is the reason for the lack of image on the screen.
Turn on the monitor and make sure that the correct signal source is selected on it (the connector to which the PC is connected, if there are several).
Turn on the computer and a graphic splash screen and motherboard text messages should appear on the screen. Usually this is a suggestion to enter the BIOS using the F1 key, a message about the absence of a keyboard or boot devices, this is normal.
If the computer turns on silently, but there is nothing on the screen, there is most likely something wrong with the video card or monitor. The video card can only be checked by moving it to a working computer. The monitor can be connected to another working PC or device (laptop, player, tuner, etc.). Do not forget to select the desired signal source in the monitor settings.
Keyboard and mouse connection
If everything is fine with the video card and monitor, then we move on. In turn, connect the keyboard first, then the mouse, each time turning off and on the PC. If the computer freezes after connecting the keyboard or mouse, then they need to be replaced - it happens!
Connecting Drives
If the computer starts with a keyboard and mouse, then we begin to connect hard drives in turn. Connect a second drive without an operating system (if any) first.
Do not forget that in addition to connecting the interface cable to the motherboard, you also need to connect the connector from the power supply to the disk.
Then turn on the computer and if it comes to BIOS messages, then everything is fine. If the PC does not turn on, freezes or turns off by itself, then the controller of this disk is out of order and needs to be changed or taken in for repair to save data.
Turn off the computer and connect the DVD drive (if any) with an interface cable and power supply. If after that problems arise, then the drive fails in power supply and needs to be changed, it usually does not make sense to repair.
At the end we connect the main system disk and prepare to enter the BIOS for initial setup before starting the operating system. We turn on the computer and if everything is fine, proceed to the next step.
When you turn on your computer for the first time, enter the BIOS. Usually, the Delete key is used for this, less often others (F1, F2, F10 or Esc), which is indicated in the prompts at the beginning of the download.
On the first tab, set the date and time, and on the Boot tab, select first boot device your operating system hard drive.
On older motherboards with a classic BIOS, it might look like this.
On more modern ones with a graphical shell, UEFI is a little different, but the meaning is the same.
To exit the BIOS and save the settings, press F10. Do not get distracted and watch the operating system fully boot to notice possible problems.
After the PC has finished booting, check if the fans of the processor cooler, power supply and video card are working, otherwise it makes no sense to carry out further testing.
Some modern video cards may not turn on the fans until a certain temperature of the video chip is reached.
If any of the case fans are not working, then this is not a problem, just plan to replace it in the near future, do not be distracted by it now.
8. Error analysis
Here, in fact, diagnostics begin, and all of the above was only preparation, after which many problems could go away and without it it made no sense to start testing.
8.1. Enabling memory dumps
If blue screens of death (BSOD) appear during computer operation, this can greatly facilitate the identification of a malfunction. A prerequisite for this is the presence of memory dumps (or at least self-written error codes).
To check or enable the dump recording function, press the key combination "Win + R" on the keyboard, enter "sysdm.cpl" in the line that appears and press OK or Enter.
In the window that appears, go to the "Advanced" tab and in the "Startup and Recovery" section, click the "Options" button.
The "Write debug information" field should be "Small memory dump".
If so, then you should already have previous error dumps in the C:\Windows\Minidump folder.
If this option was not enabled, then dumps were not saved, enable it at least now to be able to analyze errors if they are repeated.
Memory dumps may not be able to be created during severe crashes such as rebooting or shutting down the PC. Also, some system cleaning utilities and antiviruses can remove them, you must disable the system cleaning function for the duration of the diagnosis.
If there are dumps in the specified folder, then proceed to their analysis.
8.2. Memory dump analysis
To analyze memory dumps in order to identify what causes failures, there is a wonderful BlueScreenView utility, which you, along with other diagnostic utilities, can download in the "" section.
This utility shows the files that have failed. These files belong to the operating system, device drivers or some program. Accordingly, by the ownership of the file, you can determine which device or software was the cause of the failure.
If you cannot boot your computer in normal mode, then try booting into safe mode by holding down the "F8" key immediately after the disappearance of the motherboard graphic splash screen or BIOS text messages.
Go through the dumps and see which files appear most often as the culprits of the crash, they are highlighted in red. Right-click on one of these files and view its Properties.
In our case, it is easy to determine that the file belongs to the nVidia video card driver and most of the errors were caused by it.
In addition, in some dumps, the file "dxgkrnl.sys" appeared, even from the name of which it is clear that it refers to DirectX, which is directly related to 3D graphics. So, it is most likely that the video card is to blame for the failure, which should be subjected to thorough testing, which we will also consider.
In the same way, you can determine that the cause of the failure is a sound card, network card, hard drive, or some kind of program that gets deep into the system such as an antivirus. For example, if a disk fails, the controller driver will crash.
If you cannot determine which driver or program a particular file belongs to, then look for this information on the Internet by the name of the file.
If failures occur in the sound card driver, then most likely it is out of order. If it is integrated, then you can disable it through the BIOS and install another discrete one. The same can be said about the network card. However, network failures can be caused, which often resolves by updating the network card driver and connecting to the internet through a router.
In any case, do not make hasty conclusions until the diagnostics are completed, maybe your Windows just crashes or a virus has climbed, which is solved by reinstalling the system.
Also in the BlueScreenView utility, you can see the error codes and inscriptions that were on the blue screen. To do this, go to the "Options" menu and select the view " blue screen in XP Style" or press the "F8" key.
After that, switching between errors, you will see how they looked on the blue screen.
The error code can also be found possible cause problems on the Internet, but it is easier and more reliable to do this by file ownership. You can use the F6 key to return to the previous view.
If different files and different error codes appear in errors all the time, then this is a sign of possible problems with RAM, in which everything crashes. We will diagnose it first of all.
9. Testing RAM
Even if you think that the problem is not in the RAM, still check it first. Sometimes a place has several problems, and if the RAM fails, then diagnosing everything else is quite difficult due to frequent PC failures.
Running a memory test from a boot disk is a must, as it is difficult to get accurate results on a Windows operating system on a failed PC.
In addition, "Hiren's BootCD" contains several alternative memory tests in case "Memtest 86+" does not start and many more useful utilities for testing. hard drives, video memory, etc.
You can download the "Hiren's BootCD" image in the same place as everything else - in the "" section. If you do not know how to burn such an image to a CD or DVD, refer to the article where we reviewed, everything is done in the same way.
Set BIOS to boot from DVD drive or use " boot menu» as described in , boot from Hiren's BootCD and run Memtest 86+.
Testing can last from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the speed and amount of RAM. One full pass should be completed and the test will go for the second round. If everything is fine with the memory, then after the first pass (Pass 1) there should be no errors (Errors 0).
After that, testing can be interrupted using the "Esc" key and the computer will restart.
If there were errors, then you will have to test each bar separately, taking out all the others to determine which one is broken.
If the broken bar is still under warranty, then take a photo from the screen using a camera or smartphone and present it to the warranty department of the store or service center (although in most cases this is not necessary).
In any case, it is not advisable to use a PC with a broken memory and carry out further diagnostics before replacing it, as various incomprehensible errors will pour in.
10. Preparation for component tests
Everything else, except for RAM, is tested from under Windows. Therefore, in order to exclude the influence of the operating system on the test results, it is advisable to do, if necessary, temporarily and most.
If this is difficult for you or there is no time, then you can try testing on the old system. But, if failures occur due to malfunctions in the operating system, some kind of driver, program, virus, antivirus (i.e., in the software part), then testing the hardware will not help determine this and you may go the wrong way. And on a clean system, you will have the opportunity to see how the computer behaves and completely eliminate the influence of the software component.
Personally, I always do everything right from start to finish as described in this article. Yes, it takes a whole day, but neglecting my advice, you can fight for weeks without determining the cause of the problem.
The fastest and easiest way is to test the processor, unless of course there are obvious signs that the problem is, say, in the video card, which we will discuss below.
If your computer, after some time after turning on, starts to slow down, freezes when watching videos, in games, suddenly reboots or turns off under load, then there is a possibility of overheating of the processor. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of such problems.
At the stage of cleaning and visual inspection, you should have made sure that the CPU cooler is not clogged with dust, its fan rotates, and the heatsink is firmly pressed against the processor. I also hope you didn't take it off when you cleaned it, as that requires replacing the thermal paste, which I'll talk about later.
We will use "CPU-Z" for the stress test with the processor warming up, and "HWiNFO" for monitoring its temperature. Although it is better to use the proprietary utility of the motherboard to monitor the temperature, it is more accurate. For example, ASUS has "PC Probe".
To begin with, it would be nice to know the maximum allowable thermal package of your processor (T CASE). For example, for my Core i7-6700K it is 64°C.
You can find out by going to the manufacturer's website from an Internet search. This is the critical temperature in the heat spreader (under the processor cover), the maximum allowed by the manufacturer. Don't confuse it with the temperature of the cores, which is usually higher and is also displayed in some utilities. Therefore, we will focus not on the temperature of the cores according to the processor sensors, but on the overall temperature of the processor according to the readings of the motherboard.
In practice, for most older processors, the critical temperature above which failures begin is 60 °C. The most modern processors can work at 70 ° C, which is also critical for them. You can find out the real stable temperature of your processor from tests on the Internet.
So, we launch both utilities - “CPU-Z” and “HWiNFO”, find the processor (CPU) temperature sensor in the motherboard indicators, run the test in “CPU-Z” with the “Stress CPU” button and monitor the temperature.
If after 10-15 minutes of the test the temperature is 2-3 degrees lower than the critical one for your processor, then there is nothing to worry about. But, if there were failures under high load, then it is better to run this test for 30-60 minutes. If during testing the PC freezes or reboots, then you should think about improving the cooling.
Keep in mind that a lot also depends on the temperature in the room, it is possible that in cooler conditions the problem will not manifest itself, but in hotter conditions it will immediately make itself felt. So you always need cooling with a margin.
In case of CPU overheating, check if your cooler complies with . If not, then you need to change it, no tricks will help here. If the cooler is powerful enough, but can't cope a little, then you should change the thermal paste for a more efficient one, and at the same time the cooler itself may be installed more successfully.
From inexpensive, but very good thermal pastes, I can recommend Artic MX-4.
It should be applied in a thin layer, after removing the old paste dry and then with cotton wool soaked in alcohol.
Replacing thermal paste will give you a gain of 3-5 ° C, if this is not enough, then simply install case fans, at least the most inexpensive ones.
14. Drive testing
This is the longest stage after the RAM test, so I prefer to leave it for last. To begin with, you can test the speed of all disks using the HDTune utility, to which I give "". This sometimes helps to identify freezes when accessing the disk, which indicates problems with it.
Look at the SMART options, where "disk health" is displayed, there should be no red lines and the overall status of the disk should be "OK".
You can download the list of the main SMART parameters and what they are responsible for in the "" section.
A full surface test can be performed using the same utilities from under Windows. The process can take 2-4 hours depending on the size and speed of the disk (about 1 hour for every 500 MB). At the end of the test, there should not be a single broken block, which is highlighted in red.
The presence of such a block is an unequivocal verdict for the disk and a 100% guarantee case. Save your data faster and change the drive, just don't tell the service that you dropped your laptop
You can check the surface of both conventional hard drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). The latter really do not have any surface, but if the HDD or SSD drive will hang every time during the check, which means that the electronics most likely will fail - you need to change or repair (the latter is unlikely).
If you are unable to diagnose the disk from under Windows, the computer crashes or freezes, then try to do this using the MHDD utility from the Hiren's BootCD boot disk.
Problems with the controller (electronics) and the disk surface lead to windows with errors in the operating system, short-term and complete freezes of the computer. Usually these are messages about the impossibility to read a particular file and memory access errors.
Such errors can be mistaken for problems with the RAM, while the disk may well be to blame. Before you panic, try updating the disk controller driver, or vice versa, return the native windows driver as described in .
15. Testing the optical drive
To check an optical drive, it is usually enough to simply burn a verification disc. For example, using the Astroburn program, it is in the "" section.
After burning a disc with a message about successful verification, try to completely copy its contents on another computer. If the disc is readable and the drive reads other discs (except for poorly readable ones), then everything is fine.
Drive problems I've encountered include electronic failures that completely hung up or prevented the computer from turning on, breakage of the retractable mechanism, contamination of the laser head lens, and breakage of the head as a result of improper cleaning. In most cases, everything is solved by replacing the drive, since they are inexpensive and even if they have not been used for several years, they die from dust.
16. Hull check
The case also sometimes breaks, then the button sticks, then the wiring from the front panel falls off, then it closes in the USB connector. All this can lead to unpredictable behavior of the PC and is solved by a thorough inspection, cleaning, tester, soldering iron and other improvised means.
The main thing is that nothing is short, which may be indicated by a broken light bulb or connector. If in doubt, disconnect all wires from the front of the case and try to work at the computer for a while.
17. Checking the motherboard
Often, checking the motherboard comes down to checking all the components. If all the components individually work fine and pass the tests, the operating system is reinstalled, but the computer still crashes, it may be the motherboard. And here I won’t help you, only an experienced electronics engineer can diagnose it and identify a problem with a chipset or processor socket.
The exception is the crash of a sound or network card, which is solved by disabling them in the BIOS and installing separate expansion cards. You can resolder the capacitors in the motherboard, but let's say replacing the north bridge, as a rule, is not advisable, since it is expensive and there are no guarantees, it is better to immediately buy a new motherboard.
18. If nothing helps
Of course, it's always better to find the problem yourself and determine the best way to solve it, as some unscrupulous repairmen strive to hang noodles on your ears and tear off three skins.
But it may be that you follow all the recommendations, but you will not be able to determine the problem, it happened to me. In this case, the matter is more often in the motherboard or in the power supply, maybe there is a microcrack in the textolite and it makes itself felt from time to time.
In this case, nothing can be done, bring the entire system unit to a more or less well-established computer company. No need to wear parts in parts, if you are not sure what the matter is, then the issue will never be resolved. Let them figure it out, especially if the computer is still under warranty.
Computer store specialists usually do not worry, they have a lot of different components, they just change something and see if the problem is gone, thus fixing the problem quickly and simply. They also have enough time to conduct tests.
19. Links
Transcend JetFlash 790 8GB
Hard drive Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB
Transcend StoreJet 25A3 TS1TSJ25A3K
Introduction
Who is the book for?
book structure
Chapter 1. Malfunctions. Is it really impossible without them?
Chapter 2 BIOS
Chapter 3. Hardware malfunctions
Chapter 4. Software malfunctions
Chapter 5. Internet
Chapter 6. Helper Programs
Chapter 7 Preventive Maintenance
Chapter 8. FAQ: 100 Questions and Answers
From the publisher
Chapter 1. Malfunctions. Is it really impossible without them?
A malfunction has occurred. Who is to blame?
Fault classification
Actions in the event of a malfunction
We figure it out ourselves
Service center visit
Chapter 2 BIOS
Why you need a BIOS
Basic concepts
Principle of operation
BIOS settings
Subroutine POST
General information
Audio and Text Signals AwardBIOS
AMIBIOS audio and text alerts
PhoenixBIOS beeps and texts
What to do? if POST is "silent"
Checking the system speaker connection
External inspection of components
Reset BIOS settings
Chapter 3. Hardware malfunctions
Problems with the power supply
General information
Purpose of the power supply
Power supply power
Power Supply Malfunctions
Fan Issues
General information
Fan Prevention
Problems with hard drive
General information
Data interfaces
Principle of operation hard drive
Diagnosing hard drive problems
Possible malfunctions
Problems with the CD/DVD drive
General information
Faults
Monitor problems
General information
Main features of the monitor
CRT monitors
LCD monitors
Plasma monitors
Monitor malfunctions and repairs
Keyboard issues
General information
Keyboard Prevention
Mouse problems
General information
Common problems
Modem problems
General information
Modem problems
Chapter 4. Software malfunctions
Causes and methods of elimination
Causes of malfunctions
Troubleshooting Methods
device Manager
Do something with the image!
Principles of displaying information on the monitor
Screen refresh rate adjustment
Choosing the Right Monitor Resolution
Screen Image Alignment
Where have the languages gone?
Speed up the keyboard
Is there really nothing you can do with the mouse?
What happened to the sound?
Modifying the Control Panel
Regional Settings
Taming the modem
Why is the computer running so slowly?
Freeing up space on your hard drive
"Cure" computer from viruses
Chapter 5. Internet
Internet Explorer creates problems
Toolbar customization
Cleaning cookies
Setting the browser security level
Additional settings Internet Explorer
How tired of spam!
General concepts
Why does spam exist and who benefits from it?
Ways to fight spam
Chapter 6. Helper Programs
Computer diagnostics and testing programs
performance test
SiSoftware Sandra
AIDA32
3DMark
Programs for setting up the operating system
winboost
Tweak XP Pro
Fast Tweaker
Anti-spam software
Anti Spammer
spampal
mailwasher
Alternative browsers
MyIE
Mozilla
Opera
Antivirus packages
Norton AntiVirus
panda antivirus
Doctor Web
"Kaspersky Anti-Virus"
System monitoring programs
Motherboard Monitor
speedfan
CPUCooL
Chapter 7 Preventive Maintenance
Backup - just in case
Preliminary preparation data
Using the archiver
Burning data to CD or DVD
System Rescue Disks
Operating system recovery
Create a restore point
Restoring Windows XP
Disk Defragmenter
Computer Care Tips
Proper power supply
Environmental conditions
Software
Dust control
Chapter 8. FAQ: 100 Questions and Answers
Frame
Hearing rattling inside the case
The floppy disk cannot come out of the slot on the case
Power button stuck
Does not work reset button
System speaker not working
The motherboard is not installed in the case
USB ports on the front (side) panel of the case do not work
Case scratches the table surface
High temperature inside the system unit
power unit
Computer won't turn on
The power supply is overheating
The fan on the power supply is not spinning.
Power supply fan humming
There is a burning smell from the power supply
A crackling sound is heard from the power supply
The computer turns on, but the system does not boot
Computer restarts intermittently
After connecting a new device, the computer does not turn on
CPU
Computer won't turn on
The processor is not installed in the processor slot
When trying to install the processor, part of the legs was bent
System freezes intermittently
The processor gets very hot
The processor is incorrectly detected by the system
The processor suddenly starts to "slow down"
Processor not overclocking
Processor clock speed does not match wafer clock speed
Motherboard
Computer won't turn on
The motherboard flexes a lot when installing expansion cards
You hear beeps when you turn on your computer
Computer freezes frequently
Computer restarts frequently
Failed to flash BIOS
Constantly going astray BIOS settings
Motherboard damage detected
The computer does not want to automatically shut down
System speaker wires get very hot
The expansion card cannot be inserted into the slot
RAM module does not latch
The integrated sound controller is not recognized by the operating system
The sound of the integrated sound card stopped playing
video card
There is no image on the monitor
The image on the monitor is blurry and flickering noticeably
Graphic objects on the monitor are too large
Poor image quality on the monitor screen
Various artifacts are observed on the screen
Computer freezes after a short period of work
When starting the game, the operating system gives an error
AGP video card with 8x specification is recognized as a video card with 4x specification
Video card with TV output does not display the image on the TV screen
Image output to TV is possible only at low screen resolution
Image is not displayed on a DVI monitor
Winchester
The hard drive LED is not lit or is not lit correctly
Computer freezes at startup
Winchester not defined
One of the hard drives is not detected
Winchester is defined incorrectly
The system sees only part of the hard drive
Extraneous noises are heard in the operation of the hard disk
Bad sectors appeared on the hard disk
Winchester gets hot enough
The speed of the hard drive periodically decreases
Unable to overwrite file larger than 4 GB
One of the channels of the IDE controller is intermittently disconnected
Fans
Computer freezes intermittently
Fan does not rotate
The fan makes a loud noise
The fan rattles
Unable to connect additional fan to motherboard
What is the effect of turning off the fan?
Can two fans be installed on a processor?
CD/DVD drive
Computer freezes at startup
CD/DVD drive not detected
Auxiliary drive not detected
Drive motor does not spin up
CD/DVD drive tray won't eject
CDs are hard to read or not read at all
Audio CD does not play
Reading speed is very slow
CD / DVD drive makes a lot of noise when reading / writing discs
The program cannot write to disk
Broken disc inside the drive
Is it possible to programmatically limit the speed of a CD/DVD drive?
Modem
The modem is not recognized by the operating system
Modem does not dial a phone number
Modem dialing in incompatible mode
Can't hear sounds when dialing or connecting
Connection keeps dropping out
How to add an alternate phone number to dial?
Disconnected when idle
No connection when connected to an ISP
Keyboard and mouse
Computer won't boot and gives keyboard initialization error
Keypad lights flashing and flashing intermittently
Intermittent crackling is heard from the system speaker
Keyboard keys are not pressed or are poorly pressed
Mouse pointer not moving
Mouse pointer only moves in one direction
The pointer moves jerky
Chapter 1
Faults. Is it really impossible without them?
Causes of malfunctions
Not everyone has a good life. However, despite all the troubles in life, when you come home, you want to relax near the TV or computer, watch a movie or listen to music, drink beer or play a computer game, enjoy the huge size of the projector or a high-quality DVD system...
But there is an expression: "A lot of good - also not good!" What does this mean? Everything is very simple: sooner or later good mood overshadowed by the malfunction of household appliances. This fate did not pass and the computer.
However, don't be too upset because of this - life goes on! The main thing is that you yourself do not "break", and "iron" is not difficult to repair. Moreover, in most cases it can be done on your own. The main thing is not to panic and approach this issue wisely, and then, as they say, it's a matter of technology!
A malfunction has occurred. Who is guilty?
Sooner or later, a malfunction occurs - this is an axiom. The cause of the malfunction may be the actions of the user who decided to "correct" the operating system installed on the computer, or hardware. Of course, the easiest way is to scold the seller who slipped low-quality components, but, as practice shows, the user is usually to blame, that is, you. However, let's not rush to conclusions and analyze the situation.
Let's say that not so long ago you bought or assembled a computer. The second option is a topic for a separate discussion. If we are talking about buying, then you brought home a fully working computer. After turning it on and installing the operating system, as well as the necessary programs, you started using it. However, have you thought about what you need to normal operation computer?
If companies that sell computers value their reputation, they issue not only a warranty card for computer maintenance, but also a quick start guide. However, as a rule, users do not read it, which leads to various unpleasant situations. And the leadership is not so great. It contains mainly suggestions and wishes, the most important of which are the following.
Avoid placing the computer on the floor to keep dust out of the case. This is especially true of office premises, in which wet cleaning is carried out quite rarely.
- Do not place the computer case in places where there is a potential danger of non-compliance with the temperature regime.
- Connect the computer to a grounded electrical outlet.
- Use an uninterruptible power supply that protects internal components computer from failure as a result of possible power surges.
- Make sure that the computer does not work in modes that can lead to failure of its components.
- Use proven application programs and do not forget that it is user intervention in the operation of programs that leads to many malfunctions.
- Follow the rules for turning on and off computer components.
- Carry out periodic preventive maintenance of the computer, which consists in cleaning the accumulated dust from the components: the cooler, the bottom of the case, the monitor, etc.
This list can be continued for a very long time. However, the paradox is this: the longer the list, the less attention will be paid to it. Therefore, manufacturers limit themselves to a few points, knowing that if a malfunction should occur, then it will appear.
Consider the option when the computer is not purchased from the company, but assembled by the user.
In this case, a lot depends, firstly, on the computer education of the user. If he only knows the names of the components, but has no idea how they work, and has never built a computer himself, then nothing good can come of it. This is the same as getting into a car, not knowing how to drive it and what to press.
Secondly, the compatibility of components is of considerable importance. It is not always possible to choose them so that they can work with each other without problems, not to mention the further modernization of the computer. You must have heard stories about motherboards that refused to work, for example, a certain sound card or modem. No manufacturer can guarantee that its components will be able to work with any device that you want to add to them. Therefore, many reputable companies have test laboratories that are engaged in the selection and configuration of configurations. This fact requires the user to be even more educated, which elevates him to the rank of a computer master.
What should ordinary users do, which is the majority of computer owners? As V. I. Lenin said: "Study! Learn! Learn!" To drive a car, you also need to take a special course, right?
This book was written to teach you. Do not despair if trouble "came to visit" your computer. Know: 85% of breakdowns and malfunctions are in the software part, and they are not as difficult to fix as it seems at first glance. Therefore, do not be nervous, but try to classify the malfunction and choose a method for eliminating it.
Fault classification
How to classify faults? Everything is very simple: there are components that make up a computer, and there are programs that are installed on it. Both are necessary for work. If a breakdown occurs with computer parts, then we will omit the influence of the human factor.
Let's consider these types of faults in more detail.
Hardware failures
Hardware malfunctions include complete or partial inoperability of components caused by internal malfunctions, failure of device components and non-compliance with the required operating modes of devices as a whole.
The power supply, motherboard, hard drive, additional drives and monitor are most susceptible to such malfunctions. Less - sound and network cards, modem, video card and keyboard. Rarely - RAM and processor. Fans and coolers often cause more serious damage.
Let's consider how hardware malfunctions manifest themselves.
Power unit. Its complete failure leads to the impossibility of turning on the computer. In addition, it happens that at the time of a power supply failure, a power surge occurs. This can lead to malfunction of many other devices, even though there are various protective filters (on the power supply and on other components). A partial failure of the power supply, as a rule, is accompanied by frequent freezes of the computer or its sudden reboot. Because of this, software errors may occur. In addition, the power supply begins to heat up, that is, the load on it is too large and it may soon fail (Fig. 1.1).
In addition to Microsoft products, operating systems from other manufacturers are becoming more widespread.
UNIX- there are legends about this operating system. In terms of security and fault tolerance, it confidently takes the first place, which allows you to install it on especially critical servers and computers. However, UNIX has a major drawback - the lack of GUI. To use it, not to mention maintenance, you need to know quite a lot. This is what hinders the spread of this operating system among ordinary users.
linux- is the "sister" of the previous system, since it uses the UNIX working mechanisms. This means that Linux has excellent fault tolerance and security. Unlike other operating systems, Linux is light on resources, so it can be installed on a small scale. powerful computers. The emergence of various extensions of the system, such as Red Hat, with an improved graphical interface, puts it on a par with the Windows operating system. Currently, Linux has a lot of fans among users.
MacOS- designed to work only on Macintosh computers manufactured by Apple. Mac OS is the first operating system to offer the user a graphical user interface. In terms of stability and ease of use, it is still hard to compete with it. A feature of this operating system is a very rational use of computer resources, as a result of which application programs run twice as fast as their counterparts on a PC platform of the same configuration. Since Macintosh computers are not produced in the CIS countries, Mac OS is distributed only abroad.
BeOS- Unlike Mac OS, BeOS runs successfully on both Macintosh and PC computers. BeOS is a robust, stable and reliable system. In addition, it is very high level implemented support for three-dimensional graphics. This operating system was released in the early 1990s and was not widely used.
A set of office programs. Office programs should be understood as programs that allow you to work with text, tables, graphics, diagrams, databases, etc. Microsoft products are most widely used:
Word- universal editor for working with text;
excel- multifunctional program for working with spreadsheets;
Access- a powerful data management application designed mainly for programmers;
PowerPoint- allows you to easily and quickly create high-quality, beautifully designed electronic presentations (in the form of a set of slides);
Binder- a program for combining various Office documents;
Outlook- mail client and an electronic version of the organizer (may, for example, automatically respond to requests if you are busy at a certain point in time);
Publisher- a convenient desktop publishing system designed for users who want to publish their own marketing materials without resorting to professional designers;
project- allows you to manage schedules and resources, share information about the status of the project and provide information on the project;
photo editor- an application that allows you to work with bitmaps;
graph- allows you to enter multiple numbers and quickly turn them into a graph;
Organization Chart- serves to create the company's staffing table;
Equation Editor- helps with a set of various mathematical formulas;
word art- allows you to change the shape of letters or numbers to use them when creating logos or headings.
Sound programs. To listen to the songs of your favorite artists, you will need a software player (such as Winamp or JetAudio).
Video programs. To watch movies and video clips, you need one of the video player software (such as DivX Player, BSPlayer or WinDVD).
Antivirus program. To surf the Internet safely and protect your computer from harmful viruses, you need a good antivirus package (such as Norton AntiVirus or Doctor Web).
Games . As for games, here each user is his own master. However, one thing can be said: the presence of games is what powerful computers are most often purchased for.
Other. Other necessary programs (for example, software development tools, translators, encyclopedias, etc.).
A reasonable question arises: "How to avoid the appearance of a software malfunction with such an abundance of installed programs? There are two ways.
Do not approach the computer at all. This option is fundamentally unfeasible, since the computer was purchased to work on it.
Work on the computer, trying to avoid conflict situations. This is theoretically possible, but with an increase in the number of installed programs, it is practically impossible.
It follows from this that the appearance of a software malfunction is almost inevitable.
Consider what software malfunctions may occur.
Operating system errors. Mostly these errors appear as a result of executing application programs and cause the operating system itself to crash. Here are some of them:
service failure- occurs in NT-class operating systems;
running old programs- similar errors appear when trying to run programs that, for example, require MS-DOS;
protection errors file system
- usually appear on NT-class systems.
Application errors. This is the most extensive group of problems. It contains the following (most common) errors:
use of a busy resource- very often occurs when trying to open or save a file that is in progress, use a busy resource (for example, a sound card), etc.;
lack of required libraries- occurs when a program tries to load a library that is missing or corrupted by another program;
operation execution errors- for inexplicable reasons, such errors lead to loss of data and closing of the running program;
browser errors- appear when browsing web pages, when security is violated or various scripts are incorrectly executed;
errors caused by viruses and Trojan horses- arise due to the harmful actions of viruses and Trojan horses.
As mentioned, software errors make up the lion's share of problems that occur during computer operation. Most of them can be fixed in a few minutes. The rest may require a more serious approach, including reinstalling the operating system.
Chapters 3 and 4 of the book give tips on how to fix some hardware and software errors without asking for help from a service center. This is within the power of an ordinary user. If you have been working on a computer for several years, then it will not be difficult for you to deal with the problem that has arisen, even if it is not mentioned among those described in this book.
You can find even more common faults and how to fix them in the last chapter of the book.
Primary diagnostics can be done by the signals that are played when the computer starts. To do this, you need to know the breakdown coding tables. Each BIOS developer (AMI, AWARD, PHOENICS) uses its own code for the type of malfunction. One short beep means for everyone that the initial test (POST) has passed, no errors were found. After that, everyone is different. The absence of any signals means that the system does not start when power is applied and the enable signal is applied.
Determination of computer malfunction by BIOS signals
Sometimes you can tell a hardware problem from a software problem by the change in computer behavior after a power outage (as opposed to a software reset).
Many computer problems can be identified (or at least know which direction to look for) by fatal BSOD errors in Windows, but for this you need to make Windows itself work.
Processor failure
The computer restarts cyclically, does not start, there is no boot from the hard disk; Windows does not install, Windows does not boot, the processor or processor power parts on the motherboard are very hot. Sometimes programs work with errors. Newer processors have a built-in memory controller, sometimes memory malfunction is due to a faulty processor. Intel processor failure is an extremely rare occurrence, burnt AMD processors occur much more frequently. The processor can burn out due to improper assembly if the pins of the board or processor socket are bent, causing a short circuit. In this case, the processor is replaced with a new one. A burnt processor is capable of “burning” the motherboard, it is dangerous to rearrange it in a new computer. It is difficult and risky to determine a processor malfunction at home.
Troubleshooting: Replacement only.
Memory failures
The computer does not boot, intermittent crashes occur, accompanied by a blue screen of death in Windows and its applications. RAM problems are reliably diagnosed by special reliable tests. Programs with low validity work quickly, but often do not detect a malfunction. Tests should be carried out on a motherboard that has a good memory controller (the controller may be in the processor, then you need to be sure that the processor is working). A memory test with a program of low validity (validity) can only confuse you and take extra time. Faulty memory should be replaced, it is pointless to repair. Because in modern systems the memory controller is usually located in the processor, then in case of memory errors, the processor is the first to be suspected.
Motherboard failure
If the motherboard has failed, then the signs of this event are as follows: the computer does not turn on at all, or turns on but does not boot; USB, sound card, mouse, keyboard do not work; processor is cold Windows does not load or install, the processor overheats. An example of a computer motherboard malfunctioning when Windows would not boot due to memory errors.
If the BIOS of the motherboard is damaged (the chip burned out or the program is corrupted), the computer will turn on, but there will be no boot and no image. We can restore a faulty BIOS either by a new flashing on the programmer, or by replacing the flashed microcircuit.
Motherboards are rarely repaired, usually when capacitors need to be resoldered. The chip on the motherboard is expensive to change, about 6000 rubles.
For more information on diagnosing a motherboard malfunction, see here.
Troubleshooting: replacement, repair.
Hard drive problems
The disk does not spin up, is not detected in the BIOS of the motherboard; Windows does not boot, the computer restarts cyclically, freezes, slows down; program errors and crashes. Hard drives are worth repairing if the damage is minor or if they contain valuable information. A broken SATA cable and poor contact can also be the cause of a bad or unstable hard drive. You can diagnose poor cable quality by the UltraDMA CRC Errors parameter in .
Learn more about hard drive failures here.
Troubleshooting: replacement, repair.
Another frequently asked question related to the fact that Windows does not see external hard drive connected via USB. First you need to check if the disk itself is spinning up. If there is complete silence or the disk attempts to spin up (does not gain momentum), then the disk does not start. Therefore, Windows does not see the HDD. The reasons may be the following: the drive does not have enough power to work (insert the second end of the splitter into USB), a bad cable (the performance of external hard drives greatly depends on the quality of the cable); disk controller in low quality box; connect incorrectly (for example, through the front USB connectors of the computer, but you need to connect to the motherboard from the back). Here are the main reasons why an external drive does not work.
Video card failure
Manifestations of a video card malfunction: garbage or artifacts on the monitor screen, often even before Windows loads; the computer does not boot (there is no characteristic boot sound signal); 3D games crash; the video card driver crashes and is not installed, games do not work, the 3DMARK test crashes. A typical cause of video adapter failure is overheating. Critical temperature for a video card crystal, about 105º C. To avoid overheating, do not bring the card to such a temperature, do cleaning in a timely manner. The problem is being checked on another computer.
See the maximum temperatures for video cards here.
Power supply failure
The computer does not turn on with the button (power is not supplied to the board and fans), there is no boot from the hard disk, it restarts cyclically, the download stops. Power supplies have almost ceased to be repaired. A standard power supply costs the same as a repair.
Learn more about PSU failures.
Troubleshooting: replacing the power supply.
Network problem
If the network card is faulty, the computer may freeze when loading Windows and not boot. The problem may appear at night when you are away, the card may burn out even when the computer is turned off, the standby voltage is applied to the card. For diagnostics, you can disable the network card in the BIOS, or remove an additional one.
Read about the repair of the motherboard, power supply, computer video card here.
It is obvious that some signs of a malfunction are found in several computer components at once, and a lot of uncertainty arises in the diagnosis. Therefore, when diagnosing, it is more correct to talk about the probability of this breakdown. Proper diagnosis requires experience, equipment and replacement parts. Diagnosing and repairing a computer at home without being able to supply serviceable parts is problematic, but in professional centers it is easy and inexpensive. See computer repair prices.
Computer overheating.
Often, computer breakdowns occur due to overheating associated with excessive dustiness of the system unit inside. Dust is a good thermal insulator and prevents. Here is an example of what happens if the computer is not cleaned of dust. For this reason, the video card has become unusable.
Incompatibility
Component incompatibilities are a common cause of known-good devices not working. Most often, incompatibility occurs in a combination of Intel-AMD devices. For example, replacing the video card with new card from AMD and the computer stopped starting.
Software malfunctions
Half of computer failures are due to software problems. This includes errors in the file system (often caused by power failures while writing to disk), the OS (operating system) and its applications, drivers, and the effects of malware(viruses, trojans, spyware, etc.). Causes of infection: the consequences of visiting phishing sites, opening infected emails, downloading infected programs, poor anti-virus protection.
Read.
Software malfunctions should also include errors after replacing the motherboard due to a change in the hard disk controller.
The printer does not print from the computer
If the printer intermittently stops printing from the computer, then the following reasons are likely:
- most often the problem is with the print manager (you can check this by restarting the print manager or restarting the computer);
- malfunction of the motherboard chipset, in particular the South Bridge;
- bad USB cable, incorrect or corrupted driver, printer problems (paper jam, out of cartridge, cover open, etc.)
If you need professional diagnostics or want to repair your computer with us, if you have a question about prices, terms, expediency, please contact us through the contact form. In the vast majority of cases, the cause of the breakdown cannot be determined without diagnostics.
FAQ:
Question. Constantly pops up a blue screen with the inscription IRQ_NOT_ and something else.
Answer. Most likely, problems with RAM or driver.
Question. What to do if the blue screen of death appears?
Answer. A message is always written on the death screen, which can be used to determine the type of malfunction.
Question. The computer does not turn on when you press the power button, the fan twitches and stops.
Answer. Possibly faulty: motherboard; power supply (replace); short circuit protection is triggered (disconnect everything from the motherboard, even external USB, connect in turn).
Question. Periodically, the video card disappears from the system.
Answer. Probably a bad contact in the card slot - you need to clean it, or the card itself will fail.
Question. Can a video card get warm due to the power supply?
Answer. Never met.
Question. My mouse is slow on my computer. With a smooth movement of the hand, it twitches, jumps. Changed the mouse - does not help, everything is the same.
Answer. The mouse never slows down, and cannot slow down. Only the computer itself slows down, you need to figure out why: a hard drive, programs, a weak video card, a processor ...
Question. The fan on the processor began to work very noisily, buzzing almost continuously. I almost never heard before.
Answer. It's time to clean your computer from dust. Open the system unit and remove dust from all coolers. Read about cleaning a laptop.
Question. The computer does not see the TV via HDMI, but used to see and show movies. Contacts checked.
Answer. The HDMI port on either the TV or the computer burned out. Cannot be connected HDMI cable with devices turned on.
Question. Small horizontal stripes are visible on the monitor. Is it a matrix?
Answer. Most likely these are hints. Choose a different frame rate, such as 75Hz. Sometimes there is a horizontal flicker of the lines, a slight jitter. Removed the same way.
Question. The computer says that USB device not recognized, but it worked before.
Answer. The electronics probably failed, usually in the USB interface.
Question. The correct resolution is not set on the monitor.
Answer. Turn on the monitor first, then restart Windows. A healthy system will determine desired parameters monitor.
Question. The processor is constantly loaded at 100%.
Answer. Possible: weak processor, viruses, 2 antiviruses, extra resident programs, overheating. Launch the task manager and see which process is using the processor. If this is svhost, and there are no viruses, then it's easier to reinstall Windows.
Question. The hard drive disappears intermittently.
Answer. The problem is either in the controller on the motherboard, or in the hard drive, or in the cable (often a bad connection).
Question. The new computer started to slow down a lot.
Answer. You need to look at what processes are causing the processor to load. And check the hard drive for damage. And sometimes the computer slows down a lot when - if the cable fails, a large number of errors occur during data transfer, and until the disk transfers the necessary portion of data to the computer without errors, the transfer process is repeated. The cable needs to be replaced.
Most users work carelessly on the computer and do not think that at some point the computer may turn off and not turn on at all. Yes, and quite often a problem arises - a newly assembled or updated computer does not turn on. Even worse, if the computer suddenly stops working. In this case, the main thing is to correctly identify the breakdown. After all, repairs may not be needed.
Why and why?
To begin with, it is worth understanding the reasons that can cause such a phenomenon. As you know, dust and adverse climatic conditions worsen the condition of PC components. Accordingly, the failure of iron can be caused by oxidation of contacts, dust (and, consequently, static electricity) on microcircuits and connectors, and their overheating. Overheating can also be caused by poor cooling.
Also, all these horrors can also be the result of a power surge, instability of the power supply, as well as improper grounding. The first thing that can be recommended here is to use surge protectors, UPS and computer grounding. But remember - it's better not to ground the computer at all than to ground it incorrectly. First, you need to ground the PC case and the modem with the telephone line separately. You should not ground the case to the heating battery, since your neighbors can ground, for example, a refrigerator, a washing machine or a puncher on the same riser. In this case, this "earth" will already become a phase with a potential difference. It is undesirable to ground several devices to one "ground" at the same time. By the way, that's why it's not recommended household appliances connect to one surge protector with a computer, but it is better to power the monitor, printer and system unit from one surge protector.
A good firework from chips can also be caused by shorting a wire or getting power to the ground contact. Therefore, it is always worth monitoring the quality of cable connections and their condition.
Common Problems
Well, if the trouble happened, then you have to diagnose it. So, let's begin. To begin with, we will give useful statistics in order to know approximately where a dog can be buried.
If the computer is in a state of clinical death, then, first of all, you need to do an autopsy and try to find the characteristic smell of burning and find out where it comes from. If not, then it is worth checking the reliability of the power connection. If the check did not help, then you should turn on the PC and check if the fans of the power supply (PSU), case and processor cooler are spinning (at the same time check the cooler mounting). If they do not spin, and the hard drive does not make a characteristic sound of spinning the spindle, then the power supply has failed. The presence of voltage at its output can be checked with a tester by measuring the voltage at the contacts of the system board in the place where the power wiring harness is connected to the PSU. It is worth connecting a new PSU and checking the integrity of the remaining components. To begin with, they must be visually inspected for the presence of burnt elements.
Despite the fact that a working monitor breaks down quite rarely, it is worth checking whether signals are being sent to it from the video adapter. To do this, use an oscilloscope on pins 10 and 13 (ground and clock, respectively) of the 15-pin D-Sub connector of the video adapter inserted into the motherboard to check for the presence of working signals.
To facilitate the task of finding a faulty component, I will give the most common symptoms of breakdowns of various equipment. When the processor fails, then most often traces of burning are visible on its legs.
In motherboards, the most common failure is the failure of discrete elements, especially capacitors in the VRM (Voltage Regulation Module, which is an LC filter). Yes, and the block itself can burn out. Often, electrolytic capacitors simply swell, which requires their replacement. Also, a common moment is the “knocking out” of transistors in the area of the north bridge, memory modules and VRM. They can be identified by burnt legs and darkening in this area. There are also failures of clock generators and delay lines, as well as burnout of ports.
Also, a sometimes occurring phenomenon is a violation of the contact on the board. This can be caused by placing the expansion card in the slot not completely, bending the board, shorting the pins on reverse side boards on the case, lack of length of wires coming from the PSU to the motherboard.
In hard drives, the most vulnerable spot is an overheated controller and an IDE connector. A burnt controller can be identified by darkening near the places of its attachment. Overheating of the microcircuit leads to deterioration of the contact between the HDD controller and the HDA. The mechanical problems of the hard drive motor can be identified by the strong vibration of the HDD case when the disks rotate. Massive failures were noticed with IBM DTLA and Ericsson (70GXP and 60GXP), Maxtor 541DX, Quantum Fireball 3, Fujitsu MPG series drives.
In CD drives, the optical-mechanical part most often fails. In particular, the mechanism for positioning the laser and determining the disk. As a rule, such a breakdown is caused by a malfunction of the MSU (system control microprocessor), which generates control signals, as well as the laser reader motor driver, which is responsible for the excitation signal. To check them, it is necessary to measure the output signals at the corresponding contacts of the MSU. A characteristic symptom of a malfunction of the MSU is the lack of movement of the laser reader during the initial power-up. In floppy drives, the most common mechanical failures associated with the lift and clamp of the floppy disk.
Software and hardware diagnostics
If all of the above did not help determine the breakdown, then you will have to move on to software and hardware diagnostics. And in order for it to be successful, you need to know exactly what is the order of turning on PC devices.
So, consider the order of booting the computer.
- After the power is turned on, the PSU performs a self-test. If all output voltages are correct, the PSU outputs a Power_Good (P_G) signal to the motherboard on pin 8 of the 20-pin ATX power connector. About 0.1-0.5 s elapses between turning on the PC and giving a signal.
- The timer chip receives the P_G signal and stops generating the reset signal applied to the microprocessor. If the processor is not working properly, then the system freezes.
- If the CPU is alive, then it starts executing the code written in the ROM BIOS at FFFF0h (the address of the system reboot program). This address contains the command to unconditionally jump JMP to the address of the beginning of the system boot program through a specific ROM BIOS (usually this is the address F0000h).
- Execution of specific ROM BIOS code begins. The BIOS starts checking system components for performance (POST - Power On Self Test). If an error is detected, the system will beep because the video adapter has not yet been initialized. The chipset and DMA are checked and initialized, and a memory size test is performed. If the memory modules are not fully inserted or some memory banks are damaged, then either the system freezes or long repeating beeps sound from the system speaker.
- The BIOS image is unzipped to RAM for more quick access to the BIOS code.
- The keyboard controller is initialized.
- The BIOS scans the memory addresses of the video adapter, starting with C0000h and ending with C7800h. If the BIOS of the video adapter is found, then the checksum (CRC) of its code is checked. If the CRCs match, then control is transferred to the Video BIOS, which initializes the video adapter and displays information about the Video BIOS version on the screen. If the checksum does not match, then the message "C000 ROM Error" is displayed. If the Video BIOS is not found, then the driver written in the BIOS ROM is used, which initializes the video card.
- The ROM BIOS scans the memory space starting from the C8000h for the BIOS of other devices such as network cards and SCSI adapters, and check their checksum.
- The BIOS checks the value of the word at address 0472h to determine whether the boot should be hot or cold. If the word 1234h is written to this address, then the POST procedure is not performed, a “hot” boot occurs.
- In the case of a cold boot, a POST is performed. The processor is initialized, information about its brand, model, etc. is displayed. One short beep is given.
- RTC (Real Time Clock) is being tested.
- Determining the CPU frequency, checking the type of video adapter (including the built-in one).
- Testing standard and extended memory.
- Assigning resources to all ISA devices.
- Initializing the IDE controller. If a 40-pin cable is used to connect an ATA/100 HDD, a corresponding message will appear.
- FDC controller initialization.
- The ROM BIOS looks for the system floppy or MBR of the hard disk and reads sector 1 on track 0 of side 0, copies that sector to address 7C00h. Next, this sector is checked: if it ends with the 55AAh signature, then the MBR looks at the Partition Table and looks for an active partition, and then tries to boot from it. If the first sector ends with any other signature, then an Int 18h interrupt is called and the message "DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER" or "Non-system disk or disk error" is displayed on the screen.
In general, everything. As for the last point, the errors indicated in it indicate a malfunction of the hard drive (software or hardware). Now you just have to identify at what point your computer stops working. If this happens before the messages appear on the monitor, then the malfunction can be identified by sound signals. The most common sound signals are shown in the table.
It is worth noting that the beeps may differ from the above due to different BIOS versions. If the sound signals did not help determine the malfunction, then it remains only to rely on hardware diagnostics. It is produced by several means.
Hardware diagnostics
The first remedy is very banal, but quite effective. The operation of individual units can be checked by touching them with your hand to check their heating. After a minute of turning on, the chipset, processor, memory chips and video card blocks should warm up. If they seem warm, then this is enough to conclude at least that power is supplied to these elements. With a high degree of probability they should be working.
The second remedy is more scientific and requires some engineering background. It consists in measuring potentials on various elements. To do this, you need a tester and an oscilloscope. It is desirable to have a motherboard layout map as it is multi-layered and the signal flow is not so obvious. It is worth starting measurements with the power elements of the input circuits and stabilizing and shunt capacitors, check the presence of +3.3 and +5 V in the corresponding places on the motherboard, the operation of clock generators. After that, it is worth checking the presence of standard signals at the outputs of the processor socket. Next, check for signals in the slots and ports. The last thing to do is to deal with logic elements (although repairing them is often unwise). To do this, you will need knowledge of port and slot pinouts. This information is given in the tables.
The third and last diagnostic tool is professional hardware diagnostic tools. These include the use of diagnostic cards of the DP-1 type and the PC-3000 complex, created by the ROSK company. The diagnostic board is installed in a free slot of the motherboard, and after turning on the PC, an error code in hexadecimal form is displayed on its indicator. The use of such a board significantly increases the probability of fault localization. The use of DP-1 is designed for the correct operation of the processor, and the CPU fails extremely rarely.
On this moment in Russia, diagnostic cards, test ROM BIOS and other diagnostic tools are manufactured by ACE Laboratory.
With hardware diagnostics, it should be borne in mind that in most cases only one device fails, and the easiest way to identify it is by replacing it with a similar one that is guaranteed to work.
As for power supplies and peripherals, troubleshooting in them is a topic for a separate discussion, but a number of tips can be given about monitors. Quite often, the intermediate one fails. line transformer, connected between the terminal and output horizontal transistor. Its main malfunction, as a rule, is a short circuit of the turns. This transformer is part of a high voltage line scanner. This high voltage is applied to the CRT. Therefore, often the absence of a glow on the screen and the absence of a raster indicate the absence of high voltage. Typically, a vertical bar on the screen also indicates a line scanner failure. You can check for high voltage on the CRT by running your hand over the screen surface. If high voltage is applied, then you should feel some vibration or crackle of static electricity.
Software diagnostics
If your computer still turns on, but it is unstable, freezes during boot, “falls out” on a blue screen, then this is most often the result of overclocking, local overheating or “buggy” memory, as well as errors in the operation of the HDD (these include " fall" Windows).
The stability of their work can be checked under DOS by booting from a system floppy disk or disk. To do this, use the CheckIT, PC Doctor, Memtest 86, Stress Linux, Norton Diagnostics, The Troubleshooter utilities. For professional testing and HDD recovery HDDUtility and MHDD should be used, but they only work correctly under MS-DOS 6.22. The first thing to do with them is to check the SMART attributes of the HDD status. You can also use Norton Disk Doctor to diagnose, check, and flag bad sectors.
It should be remembered that a full-fledged hardware check can only be performed under Windows, testing the stability of work in burn-in tests for at least 24 hours. Among such tests are CPU Hi-t Professional Edition, CPU Stability Test, Bionic CPU Keeper, CPU Burn, Hot CPU Tester Pro, HD_Speed, DiskSpeed 32, MemTest.
In general, as you know, it is much easier to prevent an event than to correct its consequences, therefore it is much easier to regularly (at least once every few weeks) monitor the parameters of the voltages issued by the power supply, watch the HDD SMART parameters (Active SMART, SMARTVision, SMART Disk programs Monitor), study the temperature of the processor, check for good cooling and the absence of extraneous sounds. It would also be useful to lubricate the fans with engine oil, at least once every six months.
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