Troubleshooting - Lecture3

Computer Troubleshooting
GCIS 135
Dr.Mohammed Munther Alani
Computer and Information Systems Engineering Department
College of Computer Engineering and Sciences
Gulf University, Bahrain
Lecture 3
Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 1
System Configuration and Computer Hygiene
BIOS OVERVIEW
When a computer is first started, it needs some direction as to what to do. It
needs to know where to find the OS’s startup files, how hardware is to be
accessed by the OS, and what hardware is installed on the system, among other
things. It is the job of the BIOS to perform these tasks. BIOSs are made by a
number of different companies, often customized by the motherboard
manufacturers or system builders for a particular motherboard or computer.
Some common BIOS brand names are Phoenix™, AMIBIOS®, Award™,
IBM®, and MR BIOS®. They are in the form of CMOS chips that store the
information.
Power On Self Test (POST(
On the CD The first event that happens when a computer is powered on is the
POST, performed by the BIOS. The POST consists of a quick series of
diagnostic tests, mostly to make certain that essential hardware is present and
operating. The most essential hardware is the BIOS itself, processor, memory,
video system, and a source of OS startup files (almost always a hard drive). The
POST first checks the BIOS, and then the other items. If any of these are not
operating correctly, the computer might not start or run correctly. As long as the
BIOS program is not set to “Quiet Boot,” the POST will give a single beep to
let you know that all the tests were successful. If the POST detects problems, it
will give a beep code and/or a text message to let you know what is wrong. You
can find a list of common beep codes on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Setup Program
The program run by the BIOS is usually called the setup program. Different motherboard manufacturers
vary as to how to access the setup program. The most common method is to press a given key just after the
first information appears on the screen after the computer is powered on. Often, the screen will give a
prompt such as “Press Delete to access Setup.” <Delete> is the most common key. Others include <F2> on
Dells and Hewlett-Packards, <F10> on Compaqs, and <F1> on some Gateways. Setup screens vary
widely, so we will cover the most common and important BIOS settings. Setup Program
The program run by the BIOS is usually called the setup program. Different motherboard manufacturers
vary as to how to access the setup program. The most common method is to press a given key just after the
first information appears on the screen after the computer is powered on. Often, the screen will give a
prompt such as “Press Delete to access Setup.” <Delete> is the most common key. Others include <F2> on
Dells and Hewlett-Packards, <F10> on Compaqs, and <F1> on some Gateways. Setup screens vary
widely, so we will cover the most common and important BIOS settings.
Note Before you go into a setup program, make sure that you are ready to write down any changes you
make. Some setting changes can render a computer unbootable, and if you don’t know which changes you
made, you’ll have a difficult time finding the change that caused the problem.To help prevent changes
from causing serious problems, BIOS manufacturers offer a way out. After you have changed BIOS
settings, setup programs offer you a choice to accept or discard changes as you exit the program. Use this
function if you are unsure of any changes you have made, or if you haven’t recorded those changes on
paper. You can always go back and make the changes again. Figures 2.1 and 2.2 show examples of setup
screens. To help prevent changes from causing serious problems, BIOS manufacturers offer a way out.
After you have changed BIOS settings, setup programs offer you a choice to accept or discard changes as
you exit the program. Use this function if you are unsure of any changes you have made, or if you haven’t
recorded those changes on paper. You can always go back and make the changes again. Figures 2.1 and
2.2 show examples of setup screens.
Sample Setup Screens

Important BIOS Settings and Information
1. System Date and Time

2. BIOS version number
3. Port assignments
4. Supervisor and user passwords
5. Power settings (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, ACPI)
6. Boot order
7. Memory settings, DRAM Timing
8. AGP Aperture Size
9. CPU Frequency, Voltage Control, and other settings such as frequency (speed)
10. PC Health
11. Integrated peripherals
12. Interrupts (IRQs)
13. Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD)
14. IDE Detection
15. Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) drives
16. Plug and Play (PnP) settings
17. Load defaults

WINDOWS CONTROL PANEL
Accessing Control Panel
I.Windows 9x, 2000, and XP with classic Start menu: Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel.
II.Windows XP with standard Start menu: Go to Start > Control Panel.
III.All versions if so configured: Open My Computer and click or double-click Control Panel.
Applets
In Control Panel, applets are small programs that are used to configure individual components of
the OS and hardware. Control Panel contains many applets. The applets and their names vary from
version to version. Certain third-party programs install additional applets in Control Panel. This
section covers pertinent applets not covered elsewhere in the book.
Wizards
A wizard is a program that leads the user through various steps of configuring software or hardware
by prompting for answers to questions. Wizards facilitate simpler configuration of hardware and
software by making sure that all of the necessary components are properly configured and that none
are missed. Many of the applets in Control Panel contain wizards. The disadvantage to wizards is
that they sometimes can limit options available in traditional configuration screens. However, most
components can be configured from traditional screens after the wizard has been completed.

Mostly used Control Panel applets
• Accessibility Options
• Add/Remove Hardware
• Administrative Tools: Computer Management
1. System Tools
2. Storage
3. Services and Applications
• Add/Remove Programs
• Folder Options
• Game Controllers
• Power Options
• System

DEVICE DRIVERS (DRIVERS) OVERVIEW
Device drivers are software files that contain instructions that allow the OS
to interact with hardware. For example, it takes one or more mouse drivers
for the OS to understand what to do when you move the mouse. The printer
driver tells the printer what to do when you click Print. Almost all devices
need some type of driver in order to operate, so virtually every new device
comes with a driver disk or disks. Windows also contains a large selection of
drivers for all types of hardware.

Device Status
When you look in Device Manager, you might sometimes see a yellow question
mark or exclamation point, or a red “x” next to a device listing (see Figure 2.12).
The red “x” or yellow exclamation point indicates a resource conflict (discussed
later in this section), a problem with the device and/or its driver, or that the device
has been disabled in Device Manager. The yellow question mark indicates that
Windows has detected a newly installed device but cannot determine the nature of
that device. Use the procedures described earlier in this section to diagnose and
remedy the problem.

Booting into Safe Mode in Windows 9x
As soon as the computer powers back on, press and hold the <F8> key. This should call up the
Windows Startup menu. If this doesn’t work, try pressing <F8> repeatedly, or consult the
documentation for the computer on the Internet, if available.
Enter the number for Safe Mode and press <Enter>. The computer should then boot into Safe Mode.
In Windows 9x, ScanDisk will probably run to detect and repair errors on your hard drive that result
from powering down the computer without shutting down Windows. Go ahead and wait for
ScanDisk to run. If you don’t have time, you can cancel ScanDisk and run it later—the sky won’t
fall.
Booting into Safe Mode in Windows

2000 and XP
After restarting power, watch for a black
screen with the message “Starting Windows.”
Underneath will be a message that says, “For
troubleshooting and advanced startup options
for Windows ____, press F8.” You’ll have to
press <F8> in the few seconds that the
message appears. Once the progress bar starts,
it is too late and you’ll have to press <Ctrl> +
<Alt> + <Delete> as described above to
restart and try again. Some configurations
cause systems not to show any of these
messages. In this case, repeatedly press <F8>
as soon as it starts to boot. The following
figure shows the Windows Startup menu.

MSConfig (98, Me, and XP, Can Be Added to 2000)
This applet provides a convenient graphical interface to allow you to
easily stop a program from loading with Windows. Go to Start > Run and
enter msconfig. Then, click OK. When the program appears, click the
Startup tab. You’ll see a list of programs, each with a check box next to
it as seen in the figure below. As you might have guessed, each selected
check box indicates that the program will start with Windows. Clear any
that you don’t want to start, but do so one check box at a time.

System Tools
1. Backup
2. Disk Hygiene
3. Disk Cleanup
4. Disk Defragmenter (Defrag)
5. ScanDisk/Chkdsk/Error-checking

HARDWARE HYGIENE
Computers can get dirty inside. While even computers in particularly clean
environments get dusty inside, computers in dirty environments, such as industrial
settings or homes of people who smoke, get extraordinarily dirty. This dirt and dust
can interfere with cooling and even electrical connections inside a computer.
Vacuuming and Spray Cleaning
This dirt and dust should be cleaned out periodically using compressed air sprays of
the non-flammable and non-CFC type, and by vacuuming. Mini Shop Vac®
vacuums are particularly good for this task. It is best to spray and vacuum
simultaneously. Spray in cooling fans and in any spot where you see dust buildup.
One place dust seems to accumulate is behind the front panel. If you are cleaning a
computer whose front panel can be removed, doing so allows easier access to the
dust. There are a few precautions to consider:
•Turn off the computer and disconnect power first before vacuuming to prevent
damage from flying debris or rapid cooling.
•Make sure the vacuum doesn’t pull cables off their connectors.
•Do not rub the nozzle or brush directly on components.
•Do not invert the spray can. Doing so can emit harmful freezing gas.

:For more information please visit
/http://www.MohammedAlani.com/students

Troubleshooting - Lecture3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Troubleshooting - Lecture3

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Troubleshooting - Lecture3

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Computer Troubleshooting

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 2

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 4

1. System Date and Time

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 5

Accessing Control Panel

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 6

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 7

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 8

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 9

Booting into Safe Mode in Windows

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 10

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 11

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 12

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 13

Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 14

You might also like