Normally computer hardware problems are easier to resolve than the software problems. To troubleshoot the system’s hardware related problems, you should have the right tools and techniques. To identify the hardware failure in your system, you need to use a diagnostic utility. It will help you to find out the right cause of the problem.
Hard Disk
- Use a hard disk diagnostic utility to check the status of your hard disk.
- Use UPS with your system, it will help your hard disk to avoid bad sectors due to the power failure.
- Regularly scan your hard disk for the viruses, spware, adware, Trojans and other threats.
- Don’t shake or vibrate your computer while it is working.
- If your hard disk finds the logical bad sectors, it can be removed with the formatting.
- Insert the memory sticks in the memory slots tightly.
- If case of memory related errors, change the memory modules and check the status.
- In case of persistent problems, change the memory sticks with the new one.
- If your system freezes up or response slow, increase the amount of memory inside your system.
- Insert the VGA tightly in the PCI slot of your computer.
- In case of no display on your monitor screen, check the VGA cables and make sure that it connected tightly.
- Make sure that you are using the updated driver for your VGA card.
- Check whether the LED lights of the LAN card are blinking or not.
- Check to see that the UPT/STP cable should be properly connected at both ends i.e. one end in the LAN card and the other in the switch/HUB etc.
- Make sure that the LAN card’s driver is up-to-dated.
Printer
- Make sure that you are using the up-to-dated driver for the printer.
- To get the optimized performance from your printer, select the “Best Quality” in the properties of your printer.
- Clean your printer regularly with soft cloth and cleansing lotion.
- Power down your printer properly.
- If you are using more than one printer in your network, make sure that you are using a very descriptive name of your printers.
- For getting the technical and additional information about your printer consult the printer’s manual.
- Run the inkjet printer's cartridge-cleaning utility.
- Avoid vibrations and shocks to your computer system while it is working.
- Before changing any hardware device inside your computer first shut down the computer and unplug it.
- Don’t put any liquid or drinks near your computer hardware.
- Keep the air filters and the ventilation paths clean to provide the easy passage to the air in and outside of the computer.
- Plug the computer devices’ cables, connectors and screw tightly.
- Use UPS (uninterrupted power supply) to avoid the data lost of system crash due to the power failure.
- Use POST card in your computer. POST stands for Power On Self Test it helps to troubleshoot the common startup problems.
- Use the Device Manager utility in the Windows based computer to diagnose and troubleshoot the devices problems in your computer.
- To avoid the overheating in your computer, make sure that the processor and the computer fans are working fine.
- Always keep the case of your computer close.
- When your newly installed hardware device does not work, it is most likely due to the hardware conflict, incompatibility, misconfigurations, outdated drives and loose cable connections. You also need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- If you are a computer hardware technician, make sure that your toolkit is equipped with the screw drives, extra jumpers blocks, masking tape, compressed air, flash light, bootable cds, devices’ drivers, hardware diagnostic utilities, connectors and testers.
