Computer Hardware Repair

Nowadays, we all use our computers almost every day in order to do certain activities involving our work, school or just for having fun. Computers have become familiar to everyone and almost everyone has a computer and uses it a regular basis. It is also important for us to be able to overcome certain problems that might occur while we are working with our PCs. This is because these problems can often intervene with our work and make it harder for us to do certain task that should be easily done. In this respect, it is important to know all about computer hardware repair. Computer hardware deals with all the computer components that can be seen and touched within a computer. This is why many problems occurring with these components should be easily solved by following certain troubleshooting steps that can guide us within the repairing process.

Certainly, when discussing about computer hardware repair it is also important to mention that not all kinds of problems can be repaired by the users themselves if they do not have a strong knowledge about computers and computer hardware components. It is important to know what you are dealing with and how to actually follow the troubleshooting steps in order to become able to actually solve a certain problem. Also, it is important to be able to know when the repairing process is leading to something good and when some sorts of mistakes have been made during this process and in the end we might not get the positive result that we would expect. In the same time users must also be aware of the fact that some problems cannot be dealt with without having access to some specialized tools and that these problems can lead to severe damage within the computer if they are not treated right. These is why in some cases users should require a specialist’s opinion and help in order to get rid of these types of

When discussing about problems that users can deal with on their own it is important to mention that most of these problems require some knowledge about computer hardware components in order to proceed with the computer hardware repair process. One example of problem that can sometimes be repaired by the users is considered the one caused by the power supply. The first step to be followed in this case is to check whether the power source is working properly or not. This can be made by the user himself by unplugging first of all the power supply and afterwards plugging in a radio for example. It is also important to be mentioned the fact that in the case in which users have a power strip they should not assume that the used socket is necessarily working properly jut because the other types of outlets might be working properly. Even if the power strip light is actually on this does not mean that everything is functioning properly and that the cause of the problem should be looked somewhere else. This is because it has often been the case in which power strips have been discovered to have at least one bad outlet which sometimes fails without being able to discover why. Also, it has been considered that the cause of the problems can rarely be discovered to be the power supply cord because it does not usually fail. Anyway, what it is possible to happen is the situation in which one connector of the power supply might not be placed correctly within the socket and this might be causing the problem. In this way, it is important for the users to check these connectors when they are trying to repair computer hardware that seems to have been damaged because of the of power supply failure.

Another step that users should follow when dealing with the same kind of problem is to assure them that they have previously selected the appropriate voltage for their power supply. If this is not the case it can be discovered that this is actually the cause of a certain error having been displayed on the computer screen. At this stage, what users should do is to unplug the power supply in order to select the correct type of voltage for it before re-plugging it in. This is also an important step to be followed by the users when they are trying to repair a certain problem with the computer hardware caused by the power supply. Another situation in which the power supply might have failed and caused the problem that the user is dealing with is the one in which it is discovered an unconnected type of power switch. This can also happen if the user has been previously working within the case, because in this way it is very easily to disconnect a power switch by mistake. What the user can do in this case is to place the power switch back in its place and the error should disappear if it was really the cause of the problem and not only something that might have happened by mistake while the user was trying to repair the computer hardware.

Another situation in which it is possible for the power supply to fail and cause problems that might lead the user to believe that it is necessary to repair the computer hardware is the case in which the necessary power to the motherboard included within the computer is not actually connected. At this stage what the user should know that is important to do is to check the ATX type of connectors and the other types as well in order to discover whether they are properly connected or not. This is because if one of them is disconnected it might be causing the problems and the computer hardware does not actually need to be repaired.

Certainly, sometimes it is needed for some special equipment to be possessed in order for the user to be able to do certain tasks. When it might be considered to be dangerous or useless to do a certain task within this process it might be better for the user to ask for further assistance from someone that might possess the necessary equipment to work with. In the end, it also depends on the user’s knowledge about computers in general and computer hardware.

If he has dealt with similar problems before he will know what should be done next. What is important is first of all to get really informed about all the necessary steps to be followed and afterwards to proceed with the repairing process.

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How To Troubleshoot Computer Hardware

Computer hardware is the physical component of a computer.  Every hardware component such as hard disk, monitor, CD-ROM, keyboard, printer, modems, LAN card and scanner requires a software component known as driver, which is required to communicate with the operating system, software applications and the other components in the computer. 
Sometimes a hardware conflict occurs during or after the installation of a new hardware component. The conflicts usually occur due to the new installations, upgradation, change of configuration of the system hardware and software. This conflict causes the following issues.
Troubleshooting Hardware Conflicts and Configurations Errors

• System locks up during installation.
• System locks up during the initialization of a particular software application.
• The newly added component does not function well.
• Previously added components may not work after the installations of the new components.
• A particular device generates beep sound.

The best and fastest solution to resolve the conflicts between the hardware components is to remove the newly added device.  In the Windows based operating system, Device Manager is the utility, which tells you about the used system resources of a particular hardware.
If you see a yellow or red symbol on particular device driver, it indicates something wrong with that device.  You need to uninstall that device and re-install the device again with a correct driver.  Windows plug and play features find the newly attached and compatible devices and install the driver for it. If Windows is unable to provide the device driver, you need select the location of the driver.
Troubleshooting Physical Faults
The faulty and physically defective hardware devices may not function well.  There are tools that help you to diagnose the faulty hardware devices in your system.

• Multimeter,
• Cable Tester,
• POST card 
• Software diagnostic disk

Additionally, you can check the health status of each and every hardware component of your computer with the diagnostic tools.  These tools will help you to diagnose the problem and tell you the right cause of it.  After finding the exact cause of the device’s problem such as misconfigurations, incompatibility, hardware conflict, faulty device, outdated device driver virus attack or physically damage to devices, it would be very easy to troubleshoot the problem.
Troubleshooting Hardware Devices
Hard Disk Errors

• I/O
• Seek Error
• Data Error Reading
• Serious Disk Error Writing
• Error Reading Drive
• Logical/Physical Bad Sectors

Solutions:
By using the scandisk utility of Windows, scan your disk drives to remove the logical errors.  By using the Disk Manager utility, perform low level formatting to your disk to remove the bad sectors.  Check to see if the power and data cables are properly attached with the hard disk.  If you hard disk is physically damaged then best solution is to replace it with a new one.
Physical Memory Errors

• Out of memory
• RAM memory leaks
• "STOP 0x0000008e"
• Insufficient RAM Memory
• System Restarts continuously
• System hangs up due to low memory

Solutions:
Use a RAM diagnostic utility, it will show you the health status of your RAM.  Increasing the RAM in your system can overcome the performance related and other issues.  You may also juggle the RAM modules around, most of the times it fixes the RAM errors. If you continuously receive the errors like the above then replace the RAM with a new a new one.
Video Card Errors:

• Blank Display/No Display
• Color Problem
• Noisy Video Card Fan
• Slow Streaming Video
• New Video Card running slow
• System freezes up

Solutions:
Use a Video card diagnostic utility to diagnose the cause of the error and troubleshoot it.  Properly insert the video card in the PCI slot.  Unplug the VGA card and replug it and properly attach the VGA cables.  If the problem is not resolved then replace the VGA card with a new one.
LAN Card Errors

• Lost Connectivity
• Request Time Out
• Destination Host Unreachable.
• Intermittent connectivity.
• Yellow/Red sign with the LAN card in the device manager.

Solutions:
A faulty network adapter can cause a number of errors including loss of connectivity, intermittent connectivity and packet loss. To resolve the above errors, you need to re-install the up-to-dated version of the LAN card’s driver, install an up-to-dated antivirus and anti spyware program, check the LAN card cable at both ends, reconfigure the LAN card settings and if the problem is still not resolved then replace it with a new one.

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Motherboard Repair

Just like heart breathes life into the body, so does a motherboard into a computer or a laptop. The underlying circuit board of a computer, which contains the CPU, RAM, hard disk drives and optical drives is known as the motherboard (as the name suggests). A computer motherboard  may also have a sound card or a video interface as a built in feature. Most important of all, it contains a BIOS chip to control the entire setup. Any loose connection in the internal circuit of the motherboard can lead to a system crash. So, how to repair motherboard? Here, let me share some tips on troubleshooting motherboard repair (also on laptop motherboard repair).
Computer Motherboard Repair
Before we understand about how to repair motherboard or how to go about a laptop motherboard repair, it is important to know the symptoms that indicate a motherboard repair. For that one must know how to check motherboard.Below are some prominent signs indicating a faulty motherboard.
Motherboard Repair: Signs
* System fails to boot on start up.
* System hangs for no reason.
* The fans and the power light is on, but the system fails to boot.
* System shuts down abruptly while working.
There can be many reasons factoring the above signs and most of them often attribute to hardware failures. One of the common causes responsible for this condition is a capacitor leak, which can cause the motherboard to go faulty. Another reason is high temperature setting around the system, which could affect the life expectancy of capacitors in the motherboard.
Motherboard Repair: Troubleshooting
So how to repair motherboard? Here are some steps to troubleshoot and check the causes for such anomalies in the motherboard, if the desktop screen shows up blank.
* Check whether the fans and the lights on the motherboard are working or not. And do check if the system light is on or not. If there is no light, then you must first check the power supply connection to the motherboard.
* If the system light is on, but the screen is blank, it indicates that there is a problem with the video sector of the motherboard.
* While you check for the video, also check if the RAM (one of the important computer motherboard parts) has been positioned correctly or not. And if there is no problem with the RAM, check for the CPU, whether it has been inserted properly into its socket. At times, the CPU leads if not properly inserted can cause a faulty CPU, eventually leading to a faulty motherboard.
* If the CPU and RAM, both are fine, and still there is a dead screen staring back, check whether the fan and heat sink are working fine. The fan rotates when it gets appropriate power from the power point on motherboard and connects BIOS (Basic Input Output System) to the computer monitor. So if the BIOS is on, the heat sink and fan, both should be on. If the BIOS does not turn on, something ought to be wrong with the heat sink or the fan.
* In case, there is a string of beeps being heard when you switch on the desktop, it is an indication that RAM is not working and needs to be replaced.
* If the above symptoms are not found, and still the motherboard fails to function, replace the CPU.
* But there is another possibility. If you don’t get a dead screen, and once your system is switched on, the BIOS screen pops up and freezes, a hardware check must be made. Disassemble the power supply, motherboard, video adapter and CPU and reassemble them back. If the computer still freezes, check for RAM connection.
* Another reason for a motherboard failure may be a heated up system due to overclocking. In such cases, the heat sink has to be replaced and default CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) settings must be configured.
In case of a laptop motherboard repair, following are some speculations to be considered.
* If your screen gets dimmer and shuts down while in use, and if this happens a repeated number of times, check the machine with an external screen. If the external screen is working, the problem may be in the inverter board of your laptop.
* In case, the external video too does not work, then there is a problem with the video card, which is an integral part of the motherboard.
* If none of the cases are the causes, then do check for faulty external ports (like USB ports or headphone jacks). This can be checked for by plugging in different devices to see if the port is faulty or not.
So with the help of the above signs indicating a motherboard repair, one can learn on how to repair a bad motherboard. In either laptop or desktop computer, if the motherboard turns out to be faulty for the above reasons, it immediately needs to be replaced. A motherboard repair cost depends on the make of the computer/laptop and the kind of problem faced. On an average, a cost of USD 150 – 300 could be incurred with an additional USD 200 for labor costs. Hope this article was concise on how to repair motherboard. Check for the above signs of a bad motherboard and remember, a motherboard repair must be done by an authentic dealer only. The same applies for laptop motherboard repair too. Many a time, when any deviant behavior is observed, we mostly tend to doubt the working of the motherboard, which may not be always true. But a timely check on functioning of the motherboard is recommended, to keep the system sturdy and going.  (Source)

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Reformatting Hard Drive

When viruses populate your hard drive and there is no way you can get rid of them, you are left with only one choice. You must reformat your hard drive and erase all previous data to wipe the proverbial slate clean and start again. The process of reformatting hard drive is extremely simple and it can be completed quite easily by any one. The aim of this article is to clearly explain some of the ways to format hard drive and reclaim your computer’s storage space.
What is Hard Drive Formatting?
Before I share some computer hard drive reformatting tips, let us see what exactly is formatting or reformatting a hard drive. Formatting a hard drive is establishing a file system on it for reading and writing of data. A manufacturer formats your computer hard drive for you, when computer operating system installation is carried out for the first time. This is done after adding hard drive to PC.
Any subsequent reformatting of the hard drive and reinstallation of an operating system is called reformatting. When you reformat a hard drive, all the bad sectors created over a period of time are noted down and excluded from usage. A new address table is created, which facilitates the access to stored data. Let us now take a look at the procedure for reformatting hard drives on Windows and Mac based machines. Here’s how to reformat a hard drive.
Reformatting Hard Drive On Windows Machines
Let us see how to format a hard drive on Windows machines. If you want to reformat the entire disk, including the volume with installed Windows OS, you need a recovery disk or installation disk of Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. Before you go for a complete reformat of the hard drive, a back up exercise that will transfer and copy your data to an external data storage device. To reformat the entire hard drive, insert the installation disk in your optical drive. Your computer will boot from the installation DVD.
Choose the install OS option and you will be asked to choose the drive volume on which you want the OS installed. A list of volumes on the hard drive, with used and free space information will be displayed. There you will find an option to format any hard drive volume.
So choose the volume that you want to erase and it will be formatted, after you have chosen a file system for it (NTFS is recommended). Then you can run a fresh reinstallation of Windows XP, Windows, Windows Vista or Windows 7. For more details, refer to this article which explains how to reinstall Windows.
To reformat any volume, other than the installed OS volume, just go to ‘My Computer’. You will see a list of all volumes that are part of the hard drive. Right click on the volume, which you want formatted, select the file system and execute the ‘format’ command to wipe out all data and get a fresh volume, with all free storage space. Check out this article on formatting hard drive in DOS.
Reformatting Hard Drive On Mac
Let us now take a look at the procedure for reformatting hard drive on Mac systems. To format any of the partitioned drive volumes, open the ‘Disk Utility’ program provided in Mac OS X. A list of all the hard drive partitions will be visible in the left pane. Choose the partition volume, which you want formatted and select the ‘Erase’ tab at the top. Choose a type of file system for that volume (Mac OS X Journal is recommended) and hit the erase button, to get the volume formatted.
If you want to erase the entire hard drive clean you will need a Mac OS X installation disk. Load it, boot from it and follow instructions to format all data. Then you can run a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X.
As you can see, reformatting hard drive is quite a simple and straightforward job, when you have the Windows or Mac OS X operating system installation disk. Just make sure that you back up all of your important data, before going for a reformat as every bit of it, which exists on the volume you format, will be wiped out. You can use an external hard drive to transfer your data and then go for a reformat. Go for a disk defragmentation routine once in a while and install an antivirus software, which will eliminate the need for you to go for a frequent reformatting exercise.

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Quick Startup

	Browse all startup entries in an elegant list view.
	Security risk rating for startup entries.
	Get detailed information about individual startup entries.
	Add, edit or delete startup entries
	Simple and User friendly interface

Download free Quick Startup Now

 

When you turn on your computer certain applications, drivers, and services are automatically started at the beginning of each Windows session. The information that tells Windows to automatically start these items can be located in a number of places, ranging from a program group on your Start Menu, to certain initialization files that are executed when Windows starts, to one of many places in the system registry. The StartUp manager tool lets you centrally manage all of these items using one single interface. Using the StartUp manager you can easily add, remove, edit, disable, and enable any and all of these "startup items" in order to keep your system's boot-up process as fast and efficient as possible.

How do I find out if a program that starts automatically is necessary?

When you select a startup entry in the list, StartUp Manager displays detailed information on the program in the Details box at the bottom of the window. You can easily determine whether or not you wish to have the program started on the basis of the Product name and Company. If you have never heard of the company or the product, then the entry is probably not needed.You can also find it's more information from internet ,to do this,right click your mouse and select 'Search Google' on the popup menu.

Deactivating and deleting entries

Unmark the check box in front of an entry to disable it, and the program will no longer be started the next time you start Windows. In this way, you can find out for certain whether the entry is needed. If something doesn't work properly the next time you start Windows, all you have to do is select the check box again.
If you are certain that you no longer need an entry, you can remove it from the list entirely by clicking 'Delete this entry'.

Adding a new startup entry

If you wish to add a program to one of the startup folders yourself, click 'Add program...'.
Enter the name of the desired application in the dialog and enter the directory path of the program file in the Path/Command Line box. You can use the Find button to help you find the file.
You may also edit any of the existing listed items in order to move them from one location to another, change their program description, or update the command line that is being used to start the item.

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Error “Task Manager Has Been Disabled By Your Administrator”

Many times while working on a PC which ash been infected by virus, Spyware or Trojans; one may get error stating “Task manager has been disabled by administrator”. Although this is not a very difficult problem to solve, this does provide some amount of irritation and wastes one’s time to some extent. While some get this error at some private or public PC, employees working in some company are also sure to get this warning, but in this case the error/warning should not be touched or fixed as in most companies company policies enforce such strict measures on employees’ computers.

All in all, you should worry about this error only when you get one on your personal PC. But what is this error and how to solve it? Keep reading until we get to the core of this error!

In simple words, you are sure to get this error when your computer’s policy has been changed and “disable task manager” restriction has been placed. This is what a virus or Trojan may do in order to prevent you ending unwanted processes.
There is couple of ways in which one can treat this error. But before trying out any of these methods, one should check it PC with updated anti-virus software. Let us now have look at both methods.

Method one:

1. In this method, you need to verify if any “Local group policy” or “Domain group policy” is preventing you from opening task manager!

2. Go to Start – click on Run – type “Gpedit.msc” and then press enter

3. Once you get new dialog box, go in the following submenus: User Configuration – Administrative templates – System – Ctrl+Alt+Delete options.

  

4. Make sure that at the right side of screen, remove task manager option is set to disabled; if not double click on it and change its setting to “not configured” or “disable”.

 

5. Close the group policy dialog box by clicking “Ok”.

6. This should probably solve your problem, if it doesn’t make use of second method.

Method two:

In this method, one needs to edit registry of computer manually (this mostly happens in the case of users using windows other than professional edition).
1. Go to Start – Run – Type regedit and hit enter.
2. Expand the sub-menus as give below: HKEY_CURRENT_USER – Software – Microsoft – Windows – CurrentVersion – Policies – System.


3. Right click on the “DisableTaskManager” which can be found on the right side of the screen and delete it.


4. Once this done, you will get your task manager back!

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What is a Microsoft Window?

In this part of the series we look at the meaning of a Microsoft Windows from a technical point of view.

Getting to know Windows - Part 2
Volume - Windows User Interface Introduction
This is part 2 of my series, Getting to know Windows. I assume that you have read all the required previous parts before this one. In this part of the series we look at the meaning of a Microsoft Windows from a technical point of view.

Note: If you cannot see the code or if you think anything is missing (broken link, image absent), just contact me at forchatrans@yahoo.com. That is, contact me for the slightest problem you have about what you are reading.
Desktop Window
Assume that your computer is off. When you put it on, a window will be created that fills almost the entire screen. In theory, this window cannot be seen. The desktop window uses what is known as a bitmap to paint its background. When it is painted, you see a rectangular image covering almost the entire screen. The desktop window is the base for all other windows that applications display. An example of an application is Microsoft Word (word processor). You must have written short applications (programs) as you covered, my prerequisite tutorials mentioned in the previous part of the series.
Graphical User Interface
In the past (80's and early 90's) programs were written for the console, no windows at all. You just had text. If you were lucky you would have colored text. We started seeing windows in the form of word processors. There was a famous word processor called, Word Perfect. I cannot tell if it is still being produced. Those days are now gone for good. I do not think any programmer will write an application today, 2011, for the ordinary user without using windows.
No user today wants an application that he will access without windows. Programmers like you and me though, still use the console, or better, the command prompt, especially when we are dealing with C++. However, the final program (application), if it is meant for the ordinary user, has to present itself in windows. That is why you have this volume. All those windows, which the user uses to access the program, form the Graphical User Interface.
Application Window
Any application today, written for the Microsoft Windows API, has at least one main window, called the Main Window. Many applications have more than one window, which includes the main window. When you start an application, the main window is displayed first. You see its button representation at the task bar. No button that represents the other windows of the application will appear in the taskbar.
A button is either pushed or not pushed. When the main window is active, its representation button in the taskbar is in the pushed state.
Windows Elements
To continue, you will open the following link in a new tab window; you will be toggling between that window tab and this one as you read:
http://www.cool-mathematics.biz/diagrams/windowElements.png
The diagram in the opened tab window shows a typical main window. At the very top, you have the Title Bar. The title bar has the icon of the application, the title of the window, the Minimize, Maximize (Restore) and close buttons. Below that you have the Menu Bar (or the Window Menu). The user can drop down menus from the menu bar by clicking a menu bar item. Identify the Vertical Scroll Bar, the Horizontal Scroll Bar, Status Bar and the Sizing Border in the figure.
The Client Area
The output of the main window is displayed in the Client Area. Output here consists mainly of text and graphics (images). Identify the client area in the figure of the opened tab window if you have not already done so.
It will not surprise me, if at this point you argue that you have seen word processors, web pages, or some other appplication whose client areas receive input from the user. Read on! Now the devices to input data to an application (computer) today, are the keyboard and the mouse. I hope from this you get the idea that nothing is inputted at the client area. Now each window must have a procedure code (function code), which you have to write. This window procedure receives what you type on your keyboard or do with your mouse, processes it and then displays the processed result, which is now output, at the client area. I hope you are now convinced that the client area does not receive input (from a technical point of view). The procedure is very important. It is called the Window Procedure.
The title bar, menu bar, window menu, minimize and maximize buttons, sizing border, and scroll bars are not in the window's client area. They are referred to collectively as the window's Nonclient Area. Everything else is in the window's client area.
Now, you may ask: what about the tools bar you have been seeing in applications? The tool bar and other bars you have been seeing in word processors, web pages and other applications, occupy part of the client area.
Some years back I was teaching computer literacy in a computer institute. I approached the teaching of windows differently from what I am doing now. Then, I was teaching people who do not know programming and who did not have technical knowledge in computers. I just described everything above the visible client area as horizontal bars. I said that some bars like the tool bar are optional. You, learning Windows API now, is someone who knows the basics of a high-level computer language, and should know the meaning and basic functions of computer hardware components such as memory, hard disk, and microprocessor. As we go along, I will be emphasizing on issues that I would not emphasis to the layman. All that was just a remark.
The operating system manages most aspects of the nonclient area; the application manages most aspects of the client area.
Name of Application
The name of your application is typically the title in the title bar just after the icon that identifies the application. The icon is like the logo of the application. Note: the title of a window can also be the purpose of the window; remember your application can have more than one window.
The Windows API Volumes
These volumes I am producing are the first of their kind. You will find the same information (and even more) in the Microsoft web site. However, the information there has been written for experienced programmers like us; not for people who are learning programming (novice). What you will see in that web site are not tutorials. What you have in these volumes, are tutorials, which you have free.
Those of us who write (publish) for the Internet, write for money. We get our earnings through the advertisements you see on our web pages like this one. So please, do click the advertisements on my pages to know what my partners are advertising. In that way they pay me on your behalf, for advertising their products. If you do not click the advertisements of the Internet articles, they will not pay us. I know you are getting the stuff free, but do click the advertisements to enable us continue to write. Thanks.
We are at the end of this part of the series. Remember, an application can have more than one window. We have only talk about the main window. An application has at least one window, which is the main window.
I find the project of writing these volumes exciting and I hope you find it exciting too. At the end of the project, I will go to an entertainment spot and celebrate the completion. I hope you do the same in your area when you finished reading the volumes. The volumes are on the essential features of Windows API.
We can stop here for now. Rendezvous in the next part of the series.
Chrys
To arrive at any of the parts of this series, just type the corresponding title below in the Search Box of this page and click Search (use menu if available):
Getting to know Windows
What is a Microsoft Window?
Basics of Window Classes
Window Procedure Basics
Message Basics for Window Class Procedure
Basics of Message Handling in Windows
Creating Window Basics
Basic Coding of Window Class Procedure
Your first Window

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Computer Display Problems

The various computer display problems we encounter could be the appearance of bizarre lines, blurry display, etc. Most of these computer monitor problems are dealt with by checking the ports, adjusting the settings and placing the video cards properly. The following article has some computer display problems troubleshooting methods.The monitor is an important component of the computer. Any problem that occurs in the functioning of the monitor, poses difficulties before the user. The following troubleshooting tricks for the problems related to computer display would help in relieving the user of these difficulties.

Computer Display Problems
The common computer display problems faced by users are blank screen, lines or patterns, blurred screen, stuck pixels, etc. Let us understand the different computer monitor problems in detail.

No Display: In case of no display or a blank screen, one should first check whether all the cords are connected to the ports and the power is turned on. If the green light is displayed, it indicates that the computer monitor is receiving power. One should thus check if there is any other problem.

Bizarre Lines/Patterns: Sometimes, the problem of bizarre patterns or lines can be sorted out just by jiggling the cord which connects the ports. If the above trick doesn't work, check the cord connections. It might be necessary to change the cord if the picture doesn't change. One should also try to adjust the menu options to sort out the above problem. In worst cases, there might be a possibility of the computer being broken down completely.

Blurry Display: There are many possible causes behind the blurry appearance of the screen. The first thing one should try on to solve this problem is the adjustment of hard settings. The next thing that could be tried is the re-seating of the cables or using new cables altogether to connect the CPU with the monitor. Adjustment of resolution or computer display size by using computer display settings is one of the options for sorting out the problem. In some cases, re-installing the monitors works and sorts out the problem of blurry display.

Computer Display Problems Troubleshooting
Let us understand how to troubleshoot computer display problems with the help of the following measures. The first thing that one should check in the activity of computer repair is the proper connection of cords. Try plugging the electric cord, that is plugged into a surge protector/UPS, onto the wall outlet directly. Removing the video card from the slot present on the system board and putting it back might sort out/troubleshoot the problems related to display. The monitor/screen appears wavy or jumpy, in case the problem is caused by electrical interference. In such cases, the radios, speakers, fans, etc. should be kept away from the monitor. If the computer display is sideways or upside down, the step that is used in sorting out the problem is 'CTRL + ALT + Up Arrow '. The activity of computer display problems troubleshooting is easy if we check out the basic and simple things. It is necessary to understand as many functions of the computer as possible in order to deal with the problems efficiently. Read more on computer hardware troubleshooting.

Laptop Display Problems
The laptop screen problems of common occurrence are the appearance of a faint image and in some cases, a garbled image. The faint image is seen if the close switch of a laptop is stuck in a closed position. If the switch is stuck in a closed position, the backlight of the monitor remains off even if the LCD is open. The switch is made of plastic and it could be tapped few times in order to switch on the backlight. If this trick doesn't work, one may need to replace the FL inverter board. In case of a garbled screen, the motherboard would require replacement.

If the monitor problems are related to more complicated problems of the computer motherboard, one should consult a professional. However, most of the above mentioned computer display problems could be easily solved at home even if you are not a professional.

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Computer Hardware Troubleshooting

There are different types of computer hardware, and of course, it would have been undoubtedly simple to deal with one computer hardware at a time and find out the problems associated with it. However, we know that when anything in our computer goes wrong, we are not completely aware of what exactly has happened, or rather, which computer hardware is causing the problem. So, I have decided that I will present to you the article in such a way that, we take up the problem first and then go for the computer hardware troubleshooting, rather than taking a look at the computer hardware and the problem that it can cause. Let us start off with the basic steps for troubleshooting computer hardware the right away.

Problem #1: Computer Does Not Start at All
If your computer does not get powered up at all, then the problem is very obvious. It has something to do with the power supply system of your computer.

Troubleshooting Procedure
This is one of the procedures to troubleshoot computer hardware problems that can either be very simple or can go way beyond your capability to solve. The solution may be as simple as replacing the power cable with a new one or as complicated as dealing with the SMPS of the computer system. The SMPS is the Switched Mode Power Supply, the box at the upper left hand corner of your CPU, which powers up each and every component in your computer. If the problem lies with the SMPS, then solving it is not one of the DIY tasks that you would like to take up at home. It will need good technical expertise to solve the problem. Many times, the problem may have just one solution, that is, replacing your computer's SMPS.

Problem #2: Computer Freezes or Shuts Down Suddenly
If you are facing the problem that your operating system stops responding suddenly or the computer shuts down itself, then there may be some hardware related issue out here. Before I start off with the computer hardware troubleshooting tips for this problem, I should tell you that most of the times, these are problems related to some software running in your system or because of some wrong driver installation. However, assuming that you have already checked out these problems and are sure that the problem is not related to the software of the computer, let's start off with the computer hardware troubleshooting part.

Troubleshooting Procedure
Most of the times, this is a problem related to heat issues. If your computer processor gets heated up then there is a chance that your computer may shut down. The probable cause for this problem is that the fan in your CPU is not working properly. Here, I am assuming that you are using a desktop computer as troubleshooting a laptop computer, would, of course require a lot of expertise. You can make out whether the fan is rotating properly, by simply observing it at the back of your CPU. There are also certain on screen system programs which can show whether your computer processor is over heated or not. If your fan is not rotating smoothly, then you have to get the connections to your fan checked. Another step that you can take is that you need to observe if the BIOS can properly load the fan when starting off the computer. However, if you find out that your computer fan is working properly, then you should take into consideration any new hardware that you had added to the system. Try removing that and check out if the computer restores back to working properly. There are chances that this hardware may be faulty. Replace a new hardware with this. Again, if you have not added a new computer hardware to your system in recent times, then the reason may be some computer hardware part that is already there in your computer. Open your CPU cabinet and remove any extra RAM or extra hard disk that you are using. Check out if your computer works properly without that particular component. You can also try disconnecting your MODEM to check if the computer works properly.

Problem #3: Computer Boots Up Only from Floppy Drive
If on starting up your system, you system demands to insert a floppy disk to install the system, then probably there is some problem with the hard drive of the system.

Troubleshooting Procedure
Before going into the troubleshooting part and considering the hard disk to be corrupt, figure out in the BIOS settings if your hard disk has been given the first priority for booting up. If it has not been given the first priority, then change the priority level and put your hard disk at the first priority level. If this does not help, then probably your computer hard disk is corrupt. In that case, if you have a recovery or backup system in your computer, then use it for recovering the data and the operating system. The other possible solution is that you need to reformat your hard disk. If you want to learn reformatting a hard drive, then you can refer to the article, how to reformat a hard drive.

The computer hardware troubleshooting tips that I have provided in this article are for the most common computer hardware problems that you may face. To have a deeper understanding on how to go ahead with the computer hardware repair of even the most complicated problems, you need to get into the details of the working of that particular hardware device. For more on computer hardware troubleshooting, please read the articles, Computer Hardware Repair and Maintenance and Hardware Repair: Computer Hardware Troubleshooting Tips and Tools

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Computer Hardware Repair and Maintenance

What is computer hardware? The hardware components like monitor, keyboard, CPU (Central Processing Unit), mouse and other I/O (Input-Output) devices, constitute a computer. The working of the monitor, keyboard, mouse and I/O devices depends largely upon the CPU. Due to some minor causes like loose connections or dust saturation, either of them can stop functioning. A few troubleshooting tips can be followed to correct such minor errors.

Faults occurring in the CPU are most hazardous, as it has a very complicated structure. CPU is an assembly of the motherboard, hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive and the floppy drive. Unless you are well-acquainted with the CPU hardware, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint exactly where the fault has occurred. If any one of these components fail to perform, there are a few repair tips that can be followed. In order to view the circuitry inside the CPU, its casing has to be removed.

Motherboard
The entire functioning of the computer depends on this component. The processor chip-set, that performs all the logical operations of the PC, is embedded in the motherboard. Ribbon cables, power supply, CPU and RAM are the things to be checked first on the motherboard. Check if any of the ribbon cables or the power supply cord is loose. Check if the RAM chip has been misplaced from its slot. The CPU (chip-set embedded in the board) will not show any marks on the outside if it is blown. The only way to check whether the CPU is working or not, is to test it by mounting it on the motherboard of another PC. The motherboard has a real-time clock, ROM BIOS, CMOS RAM, RAM sockets, CPU sockets or slots, cache RAM slots, keyboard controller, interrupts, internal connectors and external connectors mounted on it. Do not tamper with these components, unless you know each and every one of it well. Do not touch the motherboard without turning off the power.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Also known as hard drive, it is the long-term storage device of the system. If the hard drive cannot be detected for booting, check the jumper setting. The jumper setting can change the mode of the hard disk from master to slave or vice-versa. Make sure the Windows version being used for partitioning is consistent. Check that each drive has been assigned a drive-type. Make sure the pin numbers of the plug are attached to the corresponding pin numbers of the socket. Do not force the plug into the socket with extra force, the pins may bend. If the plug is not fitting perfectly in the socket, try inserting it again by flipping it over. Do not attempt to open the hard drive without enough knowledge of its components.

Random Access Memory (RAM)
It is the temporary memory of the PC. The data in the RAM is erased when the computer is shut down. Check if the RAM is misplaced from its slot. While replacing the RAM in its slot, check the small niche at the center of the chip (the niche indicates how the RAM is supposed to be placed in the slot and may not be at the exact mid position of the chip-strip). Do not forget to secure the side clips that hold the chip in place. If you are unable to secure them, it means that the chip is not placed correctly in the slot.

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) Drive
Data stored on external storage device like compact disc (CD) is read by inserting the CD in the CD drive. If the CD drive is not functioning, check if the CD is scratched. If the CD works fine in another PC, check if the power cable of the former drive is loose. Check if the plug and socket pin numbers match. If the tray of the drive is not opening, right click on CD-ROM icon and select eject option. If the tray does not open, insert a straight thin metal pin into the edge and try to pull it open. Do not apply too much of force while doing so. Avoid connecting the CD-ROM drive on the same controller cable as the primary hard drive, this will slow down its performance.

Floppy Drive
If the floppy disk is not opening, try opening it in the floppy drive of another PC. If the disk does not open, then it is probably corrupt. If the disk is stuck in the drive, hold down the eject button for sometime or right click on floppy drive icon and select eject option. If the disk is still stuck, wiggle it up and down till it can be ejected or use tweezers to pull it out. Do not apply too much of force while doing so.

In order to avoid any kind of faults, following maintenance tips can be followed:

• Do not let dust saturate on the motherboard. Clean it with a vacuum cleaner or a hand broom once in 2-3 months.
• Hard drive mostly does not need any external cleaning, though by performing de-fragmentation and disk clean, it can be prevented from crashing.
• In the case of CD-ROM, do not pull the tray forcibly. Make use of the insert/eject button rather than pulling and pushing the tray.
• Clean the tray once in a while. Do not keep any heavy object on the tray. Avoid running scratched or damaged CDs in the CD-ROM.
• If the CPU fan is making too much noise, unmount it and oil the bearings.
• Do not attempt to start the PC if the fan is not in a working condition.
• If the fault persists, contact professional services. Also make a note of what exactly is happening when you start the PC. It makes the diagnosis a lot easier for the professional.

CPU is the brain of the computer. Proper maintenance of the CPU, as well as all other components enhances the computer performance.

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How to Reformat a Hard Drive

Reformatting your computer's hard drive is the final solution to any virus or technical problems, that your computer is facing. However, this should be the last resort. You should try all other procedures to eliminate the problem, before starting off with the formatting process. All the data stored in your hard drive is deleted, once your computer hard drive is formatted. If you want to distribute the memory space in your hard disk in a different way or create drives with storage spaces, different from what is already present, then perhaps, reformatting your hard drive is the only option.

Reformatting the hard drive of your computer system can be done in various ways. For reformatting the hard drive without affecting the operating system, the task can be completed without using an operating system CD. But if you want to format the drive containing the operating system, then you should have a genuine copy of the operating system along with you, before starting off with the reformatting process. In this article, I will deal with the process of reformatting a hard drive without affecting the drive containing your operating system.

The following are the steps that can guide you through the process of reformatting your hard drive. Please complete all the preliminary requirements like taking backup of your existing data before starting off with the installation process.

• Right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'.
• The window that provides you with the computer management options, will appear on your desktop. Click on the 'storage' tab.
• The graphical representation of the existing partitioned space will be displayed on selecting the 'storage' tab.
• Right click on one of the drives you want to reformat, and select 'delete'.
• Repeat the step for all the drives that you want to format.
• The drives which you have deleted will appear as free space in the graphical representation. Right click on the free space and select 'New Drive'.
• A wizard window will appear on your screen. Now, fill in the details, as asked by the wizard. You will have to mention information like, amount of space you wish to allocate to your new drive, and the type of filesystem (FAT or NTFS).
• Don't close the computer management window, until the new partition created shows its status as healthy.
• Repeat this process for as many drives as you want to create. The number of drives you can create, obviously depends on the amount of free space available.

The process that I have mentioned above, can be used for reformatting the hard drive, if the operating system in use is Windows XP. In case of any other version of Windows, the process will be almost similar, but may have a slight variation in a few steps. If your computer has Linux operating system installed, then this process of reformatting the hard disk, cannot be used. Linux has a different type of filesystem and the organization of the drives is done in a different way.

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Computer Problems and Solutions

If you have a computer or PC, it will surely help in easing most of your problems. But with every computer comes along many headaches and complications, sooner or later. A computer is a machine and every machine breaks down sometime or the other. You do not need to run to the computer technician every time your PC crashes or is attached by a malicious software. If you know some simple solutions to the most common computer problems, it will help you save a lot of time and money. There are number of common computer problems and solutions that are simple and involve glitches that can be solved by a common person like you and me in the world of computers.

There are many PC owners who think every time they face a problem with computer, they should contact professional help. True, but not every problem needs to be addressed by a computer expert. You just need to know how to fix computer problems. This article will help you recognize common problems with computer and learn about computer problems troubleshooting. The following are a few common computer problems and solutions that will help you know more on how to fix computer problems.

How to Fix Computer Problems?

Problems with computer are divided into two groups, i.e., hardware problems and software problems. The hardware problems are related to the peripheral parts of the computer like the CD drive, hard disk, monitor, keyboard, etc. You can read more in detail about computer hardware troubleshooting. The software problems are more complicated. These problems include problems like modem problems, Windows not starting, drivers not found, etc. The first step to fix computer problems is computer problems troubleshooting. Understand what is causing the glitch and follow the standard procedure to solve the problem. The following are a few common computer problems and solutions to help you overcome the technical snag.

Computer Problem # 1 ~ Computer Problems after Power Outage
Today there are many sudden power outages, voltage problems and spikes that can damage computers. These damages cause many technical and software snags and interrupt your work. This leads to loss of data, damage to the hardware, etc. due to sudden power outage. This is a common computer problem and solution to this trouble is use of uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The UPS can provide a constant flow of energy to the computer, even if you encounter a sudden power outage. This will provide you with ample time to save your data and shut down your PC, if needed.

Computer Problem # 2 ~ Computer Performance has Slowed Down
You may notice your computer has slowed down considerably and even a simple command execution takes ages. This is because your computer is loaded with unnecessary files, fragmented data, corrupted registry, spyware programs, services, software, etc. that makes your computer slow down. Thus, you need to manage your programs and delete unnecessary data and software that you do not use or need, clean your registry regularly to help boost at least 30% of your computer performance speed.

Computer Problem # 3 ~ No Sound from Speakers
You are in the mood to listen to some groovy music on your PC, but you get no sound from speakers, the solution to is to check the back of the computer and see if all the connectors are properly connected. The speaker or single stereo speaker plug should be put into the socket on the soundcard that has a mark Audio Out.

Computer Problem # 4 ~ Computer Monitor Displays Fuzzy Images
A computer monitor is the display unit of the computer that is sensitive to electro-magnetic radiations. These electro-magnetic radiations are transmitted from the TV, radio, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, speakers, etc. Mobile phones transmit electro-magnetic radiations that is one of the main cause of monitor displaying fuzzy images. Thus, move away these disturbances away from the monitor and this problem with computer monitor will be fixed.

Computer Problem # 5 ~ Computer Freezes with Blue Screen Hijacking Your Display
There are many problems that can cause your computer screen to freeze and blue screen to appear. This may be due to a spyware or computer viruses that have affected your computer. You need to update your anti-spyware and scan your computer for any viruses. If your computer is free from any such malicious software, then you may need to update your hardware drive. A hardware drive that is not updated may cause the CPU to lock up and interrupt working of the computer. If you find the problem cropping up even after a hardware drive update, then you may need to increase computer RAM. When you increase the RAM, the computing power increases and you will also be able to avoid the computer freeze.

Computer Problem # 6 ~ Computer Reboots Itself Again and Again
Another common problem with computers. In order to fix computer problem of rebooting itself again and again, you will need to check the hardware. You may have a faulty power supply, defective or dirty cooling fan, etc., that may cause the computer to reboot again and again. The dust that accumulates on the fan, makes it heat up faster and in order to cool down the computer automatically switches off. Thus, clean the fan and check for power supply. Following these simple steps will help you to solve this problems with computer.

Computer Problem # 7 ~ Computer Makes Strange Noises
Noises and vibrations from your computer are a hardware problem. Many electronic parts can make high pitch noises. You need to switch off your computer and unplug it from the power supply. Now remove the case from the CPU and restart your computer. Locate the origin of noise and then switch off the computer and unplug it. It may be a faulty fan, loose wire or screw. This means you will need to call the computer technician to help you solve your problems with computer, regarding these type of problems.

Computer Problem # 8 ~ Windows Having Problems in Shutting Down Properly
You may have come across the message 'Windows Shutting Down' instead of 'It is now safe to switch off you computer'. This is because a program has not unloaded itself properly that makes the computer insist to run a scandisk the next time you switch on. You need to close all the programs before your shut down your PC and if it is not done, the computer waits for the program to close. It may happen you get the message 'Do you want to shut this program down or wait' or you may not. When you don't get such a message it results in what we call the hanging of the operating system. The solution is not to install Direct X whenever you install a game. Most games have their version of Direct X that makes the files out of sync. Thus, install the latest version of Direct X and not the games version. You may need to also check USB devices, task scheduler, virus scanners, etc. and reinstall them if necessary. This will lead to correct installation and the problems with computer may reduce.

These were just a few common computer problems and solutions that you may encounter. You can avoid these problems if you are aware of the various steps needed for computer maintenance. You should read the manual given with computer before you begin using it. Yes, the manual may sound Greek to you, but it's always better to know the simple precautions to be taken. Computer problems troubleshooting is not an easy task. You should be able to diagnose the problem to be able to correctly fix computer problem. If you do not understand anything or are still apprehensive about computer problem troubleshooting, then it is a better idea to consult a computer technician. You have many articles on the Internet that help you find solutions to various problems with computer. You do not need to be genius to diagnose and troubleshoot a simple computer problem. Many times a bit of presence of mind and common sense will help you overcome obstacles of the technical world.

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Types of Computer Hardware

A computer needs both hardware and software in order to work. Every computer has different hardware specifications, but there are some basic components that are common to all of them. Computer hardware consists of electronic and mechanical elements of a computer. The hardware includes the system unit which has components such as the motherboard, CPU, chipset, hard disk, RAM, video card and sound card. The hardware also includes the peripherals that are used for input, output and storage of data.

There are other types of computer hardware as well. For example, the CPU processes and manages information and can be called the brain of a computer. Then there is the internal bus that connects the motherboard to the video and the sound cards, and the PCI bus that connects the hardware devices to the computer. The northbridge and the southbridge form the core logic chipsets, which control the exchange of information between the hard disk and the computer. The northbridge connects the southbridge to the computer, and they both determine how fast the system can access memory. The external bus is controlled by either the southbridge or the PCI bus. The chipset is used for communication between the CPU and the memory.

The RAM is the random access memory that stores and processes the information that you're working with. The RAM is faster than the hard disk, but it is volatile, which means that it stores information temporarily and loses all information when the power is switched off. The types of RAM are SRAM and DRAM. The BIOS is the Basic Input Output System and consists of the firmware. The firewire connects a digital video camera to the computer. The SATA connects the hard disk drives to the computer, while the eSATA is external SATA.

A hard disk drive consists of platters with magnetic surfaces and it stores information which is not being processed. A hard disk is non-volatile, which means it stores information permanently and the information is not lost in times of power failure. The types of hard drives are IDE and SATA. A solid-state drive is similar to a hard drive but it is not magnetic. The removable drives include a CD-ROM drive that reads CDs; a DVD-ROM drive that reads DVDs, and a BD-ROM drive that reads a Blu-Ray disk. A CD-writer writes data on a CD and is used for the backup of files. A DVD-Writer writes on DVD, while a DVD-RAM also writes on DVD but it supports more rewrites than a DVD-Writer. A BD-Writer writes on the Blu-Ray disks. Some old computers still have a floppy disk drive that reads a floppy disk, though those computer systems are now technologically almost obsolete. A USB flash drive reads flash memory. It is small, light, pocket-sized and portable.

The graphics card provides information to the screen, and is used to render graphics in a computer. A monitor, which may be CRT or LCD, displays the images and videos in a computer, by manipulating the color of the pixels on screen.

A sound card plays sound files, produces sound for the speakers, and receives sound as an input from a microphone. The speakers output audio such as music and sound effects, and the headphones are used for hearing sounds that are only meant for individual hearing.

You can also plug-in peripherals, for example, input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse which accept user inputs and convert it into digital data. A user can type using a keyboard, which has various letter and number keys, special keys such as Esc (Escape), Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate), and function keys such as F1, F2 and F3. The Caps Lock key allows the user to type capital letters, while the Tab key moves forward the cursor to the next tab stop. Shortcut keys are a combination of two keys pressed at the same time, and arrow keys on the computer keyboard serve as navigation keys. The numeric keypad of the keyboard has a layout similar to that of a calculator. When the Num Lock key is on, the keys become a numeric keypad, and when the Num Lock key is off, the keys can be used for navigation.

A mouse has a wheel and two buttons that allow you to click, double-click and drag items. When a mouse is moved on a mouse pad or any flat surface, the pointer on the screen also moves. An optical mouse is a mouse with laser of LED technology. A trackball is a device containing a ball that can be rotated in a socket. Joystick and gamepad are two of the other very popular input devices.

A desktop computer system also includes a scanner, which analyzes images, and a webcam, which provides video input. A modem sends and receives data through telephone cables and facilitates internet access. A printer produces text or pictures on paper.

A power supply gives power to a computer from an electrical wall outlet. The PC case can be vertical or horizontal, and the cables and wires are also considered part of its hardware. In future, there will be quantum computers and electronic paper, used in e-book readers. The future of hardware is very promising. CPUs will get faster, hard drives will have more storage space, and computers will get more powerful. Their speed and power will revolutionize the world.

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