Hardware Troubleshooting
The
following are sample self-help troubleshooting scenarios
that are based on resources found at http://www.m-ecs.org
Many of these steps may seem obvious, however a broken
computer can create a sense of urgency where we miss these
items and get frustrated.
They are the same steps our tech staff use when
making an initial inspection of the problem.
Troubleshooting Printer
Problems
Issue:
I
can not print anything from the printer.
Solution:
Before trying to
fix the problem, please check these things first:
1. Is the
printer turned on?
2. Is
there ink in the printer?
3. Is
there paper in the printer?
4. Is
this a network printer, if so are you logged into the
network?
5. Are
all the cables connected securely?
Troubleshoot
the
problem:
1. Reboot
the computer and try a test print.
2. Reboot
the printer and try a test print.
3.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Computer can not access the Internet
Issue:
The
computer will not access the Internet
Solution:
1. Check
network cable (this is usually a blue cord with an end that
looks like a phone jack). Make sure this is plugged into the
wall and the computer.
2. Reboot
the computer.
3.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Shutdown error
Issue:
When
booting the machine the following message appears: “Windows was not
properly shut down. One or more of your disk drives may have
errors on it. Press any key to run ScanDisk on these drives.
“
Solution: The
machine did not use the shut down sequence. Press the enter
key and allow the machine to do a scan. If it finds lost
clusters to repair, click on the OK to let it do
self-repairing. You do not need to save these so select
DELETE or Don’t Save when asked to make a choice.
Contact the
Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Insufficient memory
Issue:
During
your work session the following message appears:
Not
enough
memory/ Insufficient memory:
Solution:
1. There
are too many programs opened at the same time. Close some
and try again.
2. Memory
leaks have probably occurred. Reboot the machine.
3.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Black Monitor
Issue:
My
monitor is black.
Solution:
1. Make
sure the monitor is turned on. Try pressing the power button
on the monitor again.
2. Check
to see if it is in sleep mode. Wiggle the mouse around or
press the enter key.
3. If the
green light is not on in front, check the power cord
connecting the monitor into the outlet.
4. If the
green light is on, check the brightness level by using the
buttons on the monitor.
5. Check
the cable connection from the monitor into the computer or
the equipment that links your computer to the TV monitor.
6.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
No sound
Issue:
I
don't have any sound.
Solution:
1. Check
the cord in the back of the computer to see if the speakers
are plugged into the computer. There are usually four black
holes next to a 15 pin plug for a game port. Most times the
speaker outlet is the one closest to the 15 pin plug. Plug
in your speaker cable and then try adjusting the volume
control (the speaker icon on the task bar). Clicking on the
sliding tab should make a sound.
2. Some
speakers have a power plug. Check to see if the power cord
to the speakers is plugged in and the power light on the
speakers is on.
3. Click
once on your Volume icon on your task bar. Move the sliding
bar up and see if you can hear anything. The problem could
be the volume is too low. Double click on the volume icon
and the volume control box appears. Make sure the MUTE
button at the bottom is not checked.
4. Some
speakers have a volume knob, check to see that it is turned
up.
5.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Computer is frozen
Issue:
My
computer is frozen and will not respond to any key strokes
or mouse clicks.
Solution:
1. Hold down the Ctrl
Key and the Alt Key at the same time and then tap on the
Delete key. You will be given a dialog box. Look in the
parenthesis by the application you are working in and see if
the following words appear “not responding”. If you see
this, then highlight the name of the application by clicking
on it and then select END TASK from the choices in the box
below. It may take a few minutes to comply. You may see
another box saying the application isn't responding. Click
on END TASK and it will shut down that particular
application.
2. If the
Control/Alt/Delete combination doesn't work, then press the
power button on your machine until the power is off. Wait
till the green light on your monitor turns amber before
turning it on again. This will take about 10-15 seconds.
When you reboot, you will get the error message that your
machine wasn't shut down properly and it may run through the
scandisk program. Let it check out the machine for you.
After scandisk, your machine should be ready to use again.
3. Contact the
Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Non-system disk
Issue:
When
turning on the machine the following message appears:
Non-System disk or disk error Replace and strike any key
when ready
Solution:
There is a
diskette in your A:\ drive that needs to be removed.
Contact the
Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Back to the top of Page
Troubleshooting:
Passwords are not working
Issue:
The
password/username is not correct or I can not log in.
Solution:
1. Make
sure you are using the correct case. If CAPS Lock is on your
password may not work. Passwords are case sensitive so
carefully retype the password and/or username.
2. Make
sure that you are using the correct username and password.
3. Are
you logged in at another workstation? (You will get an error
message stating that you are logged into too many
workstations simultaneously.)
4.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.
Troubleshooting:
Projector will not work
Issue:
The
projector will not work
Solution:
1. Make
sure that all cords are connected and secure.
2. Have
you pressed the correct function key combination to toggle
the computer to send a signal to the projector?
3. Be
patient, sometimes the projector will take up to 30 seconds
to power up and show an image.
4. Reboot
the computer first and then the projector.
5.
Contact the Service Center Staff to obtain further help.