Useful Tips

Typical PC breakdowns and how to fix them

Breakdowns in the computer are very different. Serious and not so serious. Those that are easy to diagnose and eliminate, and those whose origin seems to be a secret behind seven seals. The problem is aggravated by the fact that any computer consists of two parts: software and hardware. By and large, malfunctions can also be software and hardware. But due to the fact that these parts are closely related to each other, it can be very difficult to determine the type of malfunction. For example, program crashes can occur due to problems with RAM. And the sound on the computer is missing not only because of problems with the sound card, but also with drivers or modules of multimedia programs. Sometimes only a specialist can figure out the true causes of a malfunction, and even then not without the help of special equipment.

However, there are typical breakdowns and malfunctions that most of us can identify and even eliminate. And further we will tell about them in detail.

1. The system unit does not turn on

If the computer does not react in any way to attempts to turn it on and does not show signs of life at all, do not rush to open it! Before that, check if the voltage is supplied to the system unit. This can be done by ringing the power cord from the wall outlet to the PC power supply. To do this, use a multimeter with the contact test function or resistance test on it. Next, connect the tester probes from both ends of the wire (polarity is not important) - in the digital tester, the value should change from zero to one, and in the arrow, the arrow should go to the extreme opposite value. If it doesn't, then there is a wire break somewhere.

For greater confidence, it is better to move the cable a little - damage to the cable may be subtle. Also, the power cable can "short", that is, a short circuit occurs. It is possible to check this with the help of the same "dialing", only the probes are connected to the plugs. In this case, resistance should not arise! Otherwise, it is better to completely replace the wire - it is much easier than looking and trying to fix the malfunction.

2. Why does the PC slow down?

Sooner or later, every user is asked the question of computer performance. The reason for the drop in the speed of information processing can be hidden in both hardware and software. For example, it can be caused by incorrect operation of device drivers, contamination of the operating system with unnecessary services, services and programs, fragmentation of the system disk, etc.

Experts believe that a successful start of the computer with a probability of 99.9% indicates that the processor is working properly. And practice shows that this is indeed the case. A completely different question is the stability of the processor under load. The higher the load, the higher the operating temperature of the crystal, hence the increased need for effective cooling. Therefore, to begin with, let's pay attention to the temperature of the processor. You can control the temperature of the CPU at "increased speed" using specialized utilities supplied by manufacturers, and with the help of universal ones. Indicators should vary within the following limits: minimum - +30 ... + 40 ° С, maximum - + 60 ... + 65 ВС.

3. If the monitor is off

The monitor may not turn on simply because it is completely de-energized. If the power light is blinking, the problem is not with the power supply to the monitor.

In the first case, check that the display is connected to the mains, and also evaluate the health of the power wire. It is arranged in the same way as the power cable of the system unit, and is checked accordingly.If everything is in order with the wire, then the monitor will have to be opened and the condition of the fuse checked (unless, of course, the device is already under warranty). The fuse is usually located near the power cable connector. The fuse is checked by the "dialing" method with a tester, similar to the cable. In the event of a fuse malfunction, you must also check the contacts of the cable connection connector for a short circuit (there should be no resistance between them during the "dialing"), and only then replace the fuse with a similar in current (ampere) and voltage (volt). This data can be read on the fuse box.

Another problem that can happen with the monitor is color distortion, brightness or contrast problems. If the monitor is connected to the video card via analog VGA, then with a probability of 99% the problem lies in the damage to the video cable. It is very easy to check it - just move the cable. If the colors on the monitor change (for example, everything turns blue), then the cable is damaged and should be replaced.

In case of color distortion when connected via a digital DVI interface, the problem may be in the monitor “electronics”, which cannot be repaired at home, or in the video adapter.

4. The video card is lousy

The video card may not work for both hardware and software reasons. And before you start “soldering a video card” or carry it to a service center, you should check the “software” side of the issue. Of course, we are talking about drivers that should be updated to the latest version. If all is well with the drivers, pay attention to the image settings.

Windows 7:

Open the Personalization section on the Control Panel (in the mode of displaying all the Control Panel elements). In the left menu, select Display> Screen Resolution> Advanced Options. In the Monitor tab, adjust the resolution and the number of colors according to the capabilities of the monitor. By clicking the Advanced button and going to the Monitor tab, you can set the maximum refresh rate that the monitor supports. Attention! In order not to make a mistake in choosing a frequency, the checkbox must be checked on Hide modes that the monitor cannot use, otherwise the monitor, if the wrong frequency is set, may either fail or be blocked (as a rule, the latter happens most often). If the monitor automatically locks at the wrong frequency, the computer should be restarted in Safe Mode and set the correct refresh rate.

Windows XP:

Open the Screen on the Control Panel. Parameters tab, Advanced button. We set the correct ones in the same way as in the course of actions under Windows 7.

If the software check did not reveal any violations, and the monitor still does not work correctly, then the situation is more serious and difficult to solve. It is best to try to put the video card on another computer and check its operation, because the malfunction can be not only in the video card, but also in the motherboard slot or in the motherboard itself. In the absence of the possibility of such manipulation, you will have to resort to more radical measures: inspect the video card, if swollen capacitors are found on it, re-solder them, in case of further problems, replace them with a similar one. The situation has not changed? Then the problem is in the motherboard. Here you can try to install a video card with a different interface (for example, not PCl-express, but simply PCI) - of course, if the motherboard supports this interface.

5. And the mouse stopped running ...

Very often, the lack of mouse response can be caused not by hardware problems of the device, but by a banal hang of the operating system. The easiest way to check this is using the keyboard: the normal reaction of the operating system to keyboard actions means that there are indeed problems with the mouse, while the absence suggests the opposite - the mouse is “not to blame”. The second, more accurate way: connect another, working mouse in the same socket to which the "suspect" mouse was connected. If everything is in order, then it is already worse - it will have to be repaired. Depending on the type of mouse ("ball", optical, laser, etc.), the approaches to diagnostics and repair may differ.

If the cause is pollution, then the solution to the problem is as follows.The ball, rolling on the table all the time, collects all the dust on itself. This does not happen with optical and laser mice. The surface that requires regular cleaning is the underside of the mouse. After a few months of use, you will find clogged lumps on the legs and the entire area as a whole.

6. Rescue the drowned keyboard

“I accidentally spilled coffee on my keyboard. Now it doesn't work. What should I do?" Answer: change the keyboard, best of all for a waterproof one, because, as a rule, when a liquid spills, a short circuit occurs and all the "electronics" in the form of a small scarf breaks down. But if nothing like this happened, then you can try to restore the keyboard to work. As with the mouse, you first need to determine if the problem is directly related to the keyboard. The easiest way to check this is by replacing it with a working keyboard. If unsuccessful, try connecting a similar device to a different port (for example, instead of PS / 2 - USB or vice versa). Works? Then there are problems with the port: it may be disabled in the BIOS, or it may have burned out.

If the spilled liquid is ordinary water, then you just need to gently dry the keyboard. After that, its performance will most likely be restored. With sweet tea, coffee or juice, the situation is more complicated. Sticky film left over from accidentally spilled beverage can prevent individual keys from being pressed. To remove it, you will have to disassemble the keyboard (after photographing the location of the keys), and rinse it thoroughly.

But sometimes the problems with the keyboard can be completely different. So, today most keyboards are made on the basis of conductive rubber, in the form of "circles" under the keys. Wear or damage to one of these "rubber bands" interferes with the operation of a separate key. Therefore, such a "rubber band" must be replaced. Moreover, the process of replacing the rubber bands is quite painstaking, and the manipulations should be performed very carefully.

Pre-spread a piece of cloth on the worktable to avoid losing small parts. Turn the keyboard upside down and remove all screws with a screwdriver. Now carefully separate the top and bottom. Find a non-working rubber band among the rubber bands that you see and replace it with a good one. If you don’t find a spare one, you can replace the keys you are not using with a "rubber band", for example, from the Scroll Lock key.

After making sure that all the rubber bands are in place, carefully return the upper part to its place, turn the keyboard over and fasten the screws. If this manipulation did not bring any result, the keyboard must be replaced.

As you can see, many computer breakdowns can be easily diagnosed (and in some cases even eliminated) on your own. At the same time, it is important to soberly calculate your strength and understand that it is better to entrust the solution of complex breakdowns to a certified specialist of the service center. After all, then, in the event of an unsuccessful repair, you will have someone to blame but yourself. However, we sincerely hope that it will not come to this.

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