| This guide deals with troubleshooting a PC that | | | | code displayed on the screen. With this error code |
| won't boot to the point where it at least starts | | | | you can determine what part of the system is |
| loading an operating system (hardware related | | | | having problems and find a solution. You have |
| problem). This article is intended for a person who | | | | probably heard a beep code in the past and just |
| has a little knowledge of PC's and is comfortable | | | | not realized it. You know the one or two short |
| opening up and working inside a PC. If this isn't | | | | beeps your computer makes when you first turn |
| you, then I recommend taking your PC to a | | | | it on, that is a beep code indicating everything |
| qualified PC repair shop. This is meant as a general | | | | checks out OK. With some PC's it may seem like |
| troubleshooting guide and by no means covers | | | | there isn't any beep code, what is probably |
| every scenario that can occur, any omissions or | | | | happening here is there is a problem with the |
| mistakes were not intentional and will be updated | | | | internal speaker inside the PC, it is either not |
| as necessary. | | | | present, not functioning any longer or not |
| Now let's get started.. | | | | connected properly to the motherboard. If this is |
| Keep it Simple | | | | the case in your instance, check to see a visual |
| First and foremost, I cannot stress enough that | | | | code is being displayed on the monitor, if nothing |
| when it comes to troubleshooting PC's, KEEP IT | | | | then skip ahead to the next section. |
| SIMPLE! You will save yourself a lot of time and | | | | To check for an error code on your PC, turn the |
| effort if you start looking for the simplest and | | | | computer on and listen for any beeps or look on |
| most obvious solutions first. | | | | the monitor screen for a code. As I mentioned, |
| With that being said here is a list of a few things | | | | one or two short beeps indicates everything is |
| you should start checking first.. | | | | OK, if you experience any different sequence or |
| 1. Check the Power Cable | | | | length of beeps, write down what you heard, (e.g. |
| (reason: ensure the PC is getting power and that | | | | 1 long beep followed by two short beeps) or |
| the problem isn't simply a bad power cable) | | | | write down the error code on the screen. Error |
| 1. Is it plugged into the back of the PC tightly? | | | | codes vary from PC to PC depending on the |
| 2. Is it plugged into a power source? | | | | manufacturer of the motherboard inside the PC. It |
| 3. If it is connected to a power bar --- is the | | | | would be beyond the scope of this guide to |
| power bar plugged in and turned on? | | | | include every manufacturer error codes as some |
| 4. If possible try a different power cord and/or | | | | may be missed and some may change as new |
| power bar | | | | technology is introduced. Performing a search on |
| 5. Is a breaker blown in the building? Try a | | | | the Internet using your favorite search engine will |
| different wall plug | | | | find many sites specific to your PC. They will |
| 2. Check the monitor | | | | have a list of codes, what they mean and |
| (reason: make sure the monitor is still working. | | | | potentially how to fix them, look for the code you |
| When you boot a PC you expect to see | | | | wrote down previously. The hardware generally |
| something on the monitor, if you don't, one may | | | | checked by the POST test is the motherboard, |
| think their PC isn't working when in fact there is | | | | CPU, power supply, memory and video card. If |
| something wrong with the monitor) | | | | the error c!ode indicates a problem in one of |
| 1. Is the power cable plugged in tight to the back | | | | these areas, make sure all cards in the PC are |
| of the monitor? | | | | seated correctly in the motherboard slots and |
| 2. Is the power cable plugged into a power | | | | that the power supply cables are connected |
| source? | | | | snuggly to the motherboard. If all of this has been |
| 3. If it is connected to a power bar --- is the | | | | done and you still receive an error code then |
| power bar plugged in and turned on? | | | | chances are the device has failed and will need to |
| 4. Is the monitor turned on? | | | | be replaced. |
| 5. Is the monitor's video cable plugged tightly into | | | | If the POST test doesn't reveal the source of the |
| the video card on the PC? | | | | problem the next step is to open up the PC. |
| 6. Are the contract and brightness settings of the | | | | Staying with the theme of keeping it simple we |
| monitor adjusted correctly? | | | | will want to try and start the PC with the |
| 7. If possible try a different monitor. | | | | minimum hardware required to boot a computer. |
| 3. Visually check the power supply | | | | All you need to boot a PC is the motherboard, |
| (reason: a PC may boot to a point with a failing | | | | memory, some sort of media (floppy disk, hard |
| power supply but can quickly overheat causing it | | | | disk, CD, etc.) and a video card. What we will |
| to the PC to stop functioning) | | | | want to do is remove or disconnect any |
| 1. Does the fan turn when the PC is turned on? | | | | unnecessary hardware. |
| 2. Does it feel hot to the touch? | | | | 1. Leave one form of media drive connected to |
| 3. Do any lights come on when the PC power | | | | boot with, preferably the floppy drive if available, |
| button is pressed? | | | | and disconnect all other drives. |
| 4. Check the keyboard | | | | 2. Remove all cards except for the video card. |
| (reason: a PC needs a keyboard to boot, most | | | | 3. Remove all memory except for one stick |
| times if there is a keyboard problem a message | | | | 4. Insert bootable media (floppy disk, CD, etc.) |
| will be displayed on the screen, however this may | | | | and power on the PC |
| not always be the case and the computer may | | | | If the PC doesn't boot with the minimum |
| just stop booting) | | | | hardware then the problem may lie with the video |
| 1. Is the keyboard connected to the PC? | | | | card, memory or the motherboard. Try using a |
| 2. If possible try a different keyboard. | | | | different stick of memory if you have one as well |
| 5. Check the floppy and CD drive | | | | try using a different video card. Friends and family |
| (reason: when a PC boots, by default it will try | | | | can be great sources for this, ask to borrow their |
| and boot from the floppy or CD drive first. If | | | | video card or memory from their PC, just make |
| there is a disk in either of these drives even if it | | | | sure to return it when you are done. If swapping |
| is not a bootable disk, the PC may try to boot | | | | the memory and video card don't work then you |
| from the disk. Most times an error is displayed | | | | more than likely have a problem with the |
| when it can't boot from the disk but this isn't | | | | motherboard and it will need to be replaced. |
| always the case) | | | | If it does boot. |
| 1. Is there a disk in the floppy drive? | | | | 1. Turn it off |
| 2. Is there a disk in the CD drive? | | | | 2. Insert or connect one hardware device that |
| A person may think that it is a waste of time to | | | | was previously removed |
| check such simple things and want to skip the | | | | 3. Try booting again. |
| above checklist. I cannot count how many times I | | | | 4. Repeat these steps until the computer no |
| have been called to troubleshoot a PC only to find | | | | longer boots. |
| that a power bar was turned off or there was a | | | | Once the PC doesn't boot again the last hardware |
| disk in the floppy or CD drive. Take the time now | | | | device that was connected is the problem and |
| to check the easy things--- I guarantee you it will | | | | should be replaced or permanently removed. |
| save a lot of headaches and frustrations. | | | | If you get to this point and your PC still doesn't |
| Advanced Troubleshooting | | | | want to load an operating system then it is time |
| When a computer is first turned on, the hardware | | | | to have a qualified computer technician look at the |
| runs a Power-On Self Test (POST). If errors are | | | | problem or purcahse a new PC. You gave it your |
| encountered during this POST test, they are | | | | best shot but sometimes a fresh set of eyes can |
| usually indicated by a beep or in the form of a | | | | see something that may have been missed. |