Chapter Seven

Maintenance and Trouble shooting

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Preventive Maintenance Ventilation

Air conditioned rooms (Server and Lab) Keep vents open

Dust Vacuum cleaners Air compressor Cleaning Cloths

Hard disk Defragmenting Running Check disk Scan Running Disk clean up Running Anti-Virus Programs Avoid Vibration and Shock

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Cont’d Use power protection devices

UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) Suppressor

Backing up data Use Backup devices (Zip, Tape, CD & DVD) Use Backup software

Floppy, CD Drives Use cleaning kits based on manufacturer

recommendations Use Marker for Labeling (CD)

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Scheduled TasksAre tasks that must be done periodically to keep your system running smoothly. After performing this action the system will regain it original performance.Weekly Scheduled task

Running Virus scan Running Automatic Updates

e.g. Anti Virus, Browserthe software may provide scheduling services or

may initiate updates when the system is turned on.

Cleaning Keyboard, Mouse, Mouse Pad and Monitor from dust

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Cont’d Monthly Scheduled tasks

Running scan disk Running disk clean up (provides removal of

Temporary internet files) Running disk Defragmentation. Deleting of cookies from the browsers (Here

there is an option of removing your passwords which you don’t want to do it now, but when you are changing your system for some reason don’t forget to remove them. Also if it is a shared system do store any of your password)

Backing up your data. Creating system restore points.

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Cont’d Annually scheduled tasks

Checking the functionality of each system components like Floppy & CD Drive, Sound card, Fans, etc

Removing dust from the internal system. Keep in mind that most components will get loose. There is also a probability of damaging them.

Updating and Recovering the operating system components. (Formatting is considered as the last option because it will have an impact on the life time of the hard disk and every body wants its data, software and settings left intact)

Upgrading your systems components. E.g. increasing RAM, Hard disk size or from CD-ROM to CD-RW, etc

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Cont’d

Remember some of the tasks can be done in different ways as per the persons or organizations requirements. E.g. in school environments the annual task may be done on semester base, and software that keeps the original setting every time the system restarts may be used (like freezer).

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Troubleshooting your system

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When will a PC fails to Work? A change has been made to the System.

New device installed New software installed Downloaded a software from the net. (Screen

saver may be) An important files has been deleted for

some reason. The PC is too old The system Unit has been opened

For preventive maintenance routine To introduce or maintain a device (like NIC)

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Cont’d The PC is brand new or a newly

assembled one. In both case a component may be missing or it may be wrongly fixed.

Poor power supply, keyboard or mouse.

System has been shacked, vibrated or knocked.

Power went wrong (high may be).

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Do you know the purpose of Ctrl+Z or Undo, Ctrl+S Esc Task manager or Ctrl+Alt+Del msconfig Restarting Ctrl, Alt, Windows, Tab, & Function keys,

and their combination like Alt+Tab, Alt +F4, Ctrl+O, Alt+space bar

On Screen keyboardIn short, what to do when the computer

stacks, keyboard or mouse doesn’t work?

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The “R” solutions If a file is deleted (only delete not shift+delete)

and you want to recover it go to Recycle Bin. If a program is missing use System Restore and

restore the system to previous restore point. If an application is not working save all files in

another location and Reinstall the application. If your Hard disk or flash asks you to format it,

format it and use a Recovery Software to restore your files.

If your system crashed and you have organized it with new operating system Restore files from a Back up set.

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Is it a Hardware or software Problem?

A) Hardware B) SoftwareA A printer breaks down and stops working.B A printer prints from a word program but not

from Adobe.B PC locks up when you open the same

program again and again.A Computer shuts it self off half an hour after

you start running any program_ CD-ROM drive no longer slides open._ Enter key doesn’t work._ Mouse stops working on only one program.

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Question Based Trouble ShootingProblem OneDisplay is Black, No sound from the speaker and the system

doesn’t boot.Solutions1. Power

1. Check power2. Check power connector to Case and Monitor3. Check the Battery (Laptops)

2. Monitor1. Check connection b/n PC and Monitor2. Check brightness and Contrast setting

3. System Unit1. Check the lights of the drive

4. Check the CMOS Battery

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Cont’d

5. Short on motherboard, bad power supply or Speaker connected wrongly

6. Verify all the Expansion slot are placed properly Chip creep is caused by thermal expansion

and contraction which happens during the heating and cooling of components, and causes components such as removable chips to shift position or work their way out of their mounting clips.

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Cont’d

7. Try unplugging & disconnecting everything except mother board, PC speaker and Video card.

8. Try different power supply9. Replace RAM10.Try different CPU11.Replace Mother Board

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Problem TwoThe system is booting but no displaySolutions1. Check monitor is on.2. Check monitor is connected to PC.3. Check for brightness & contrast4. Replace Video card5. Replace Monitor6. Change VGA Slot

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Problem ThreeThe system emits a series of beepsSolutionsCheck the beep codes in the mother board

manual.Problem Four The screen displays a numeric error code.

(Rare case-only in Modern system)SolutionCheck the codes in the mother board manual.

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Problem FiveSystem Restarts after loading the OSSolutions1. Try log in with safe mode

Remove any lastly loaded software Recover the system to previous restore

point

2. Remove any newly added Hardware3. Check the fans. (Power supply, case

and Processor)

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Problem SixBlue screen with an error messageReason Most likely case after power failure.SolutionUse a bootable disk to recoverProblem SevenMissing a file messageSolution1. Use a bootable disk to recover2. Coping the missing file

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Problem EightNon-System Disk errorSolutions1. Check the FDD2. Check the Flash DriveProblem NineWindows was not properly shut downSolutionsRestart the computerAutomatically starts scandisk

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Problem TenNot enough Memory or Insufficient Memory-

Virtual memorySolutions1. Closing Windows2. Restart/RebootProblem ElevenNo sound comes from the systemSolutions1. Check for Mute (software & Hardware)2. Check the Device Driver

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Problem TwelveMachine/System is freezingSolutions1. Close applications using task manager2. Reboot the systemProblem Thirteen System asks for the date and time always

and save the changes made on the system

SolutionChange the CMOS battery

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Problem FourteenWhen I'm opening a web browser what I'm seeing is an advert/ offensive page, a pop up page and etc. Check the other symptom form www.infopackets.com/news/security/2005/20051115_spyware_infection_symptoms.htm

ReasonAn ad software is installed in your systemSolution1.Change the your Home page address back.2.Try to remove an known process from the task manager.3.Disable unknown programs form msconfig startup files.4.Download an anti spyware and malware software and scan your system.

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Problem FifteenWhen I'm running a program it displays an

error code.ReasonMissing component or already running processSolution1. Try to run a missing component. E.g. start

server before running server script program.

2. Close pervious result windows or end executions.(eg visual basic)

3. Install missing component.4. Use a stable version software.5. Reinstall the software.

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Problem Sixteen Device is not recognized (extra Hard drive, CD

& Floppy drive, Flash, etc)SolutionCheck the following

driver for the device. There will be a yellow “?” mark in device manager for that device if not installed or corrupted. Red “X” for disabled.

is power on or not if applicable. (digital camera) the cable connection b/n the device and the

system. power connection or battery for the device. the device if it is a working one.

Change a port (for external device) or slot (for internal device).

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Problem seventeenI can’t see the start menu and any of

the icons on desktop.Solution1. Press Ctrl+Alt+DelTask

managerfile new task(run …)type “explorer” hit Enter. If an error message displayed the file has been deleted or altered.

2. Restart the system.3. Restore or Recover your system.

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IBM based systems beep codes

1. No beep, Continuous beep & repeating short beeps-Power supply, System board.

2. One short beep- Normal Post-Ok3. Two short beeps-Post Error4. One long and one short beep-System

board5. One long and two short beep-Display

Adapter