Troubleshooting - Lecture3

8/8/2019 Troubleshooting - Lecture3

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Prepared by: Dr.Mohammed M. Alani - [email protected] 1

Computer TroubleshootingGCIS 135

Dr.Mohammed Munther Alani

Computer and Information Systems Engineering Department

College of Computer Engineering and Sciences

Gulf University, Bahrain

Lecture 3


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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 OSs 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.


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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 aprompt such as Press Delete to access Setup. is the most common key. Others include on

Dells and Hewlett-Packards, on Compaqs, and 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 setupprogram. 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. is the most common key. Others include onDells and Hewlett-Packards, on Compaqs, and 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 dont know which changes you

made, youll 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 thisfunction if you are unsure of any changes you have made, or if you havent 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 havent

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 .


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Sample Setup Screens


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Important BIOS Settings and Information

1. System Date and Time

2. BIOS version number3. 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) settings17. Load defaults


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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 fromversion 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 properlyconfigured 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.


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Mostly used Control Panel applets

Accessibility Options

Add/Remove Hardware

Administrative Tools: ComputerManagement

1. System Tools

2. Storage

3. Services and Applications Add/Remove Programs

Folder Options

Game Controllers

Power Options

System


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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.


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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 thatWindows 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.


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Booting into SafeMode in Windows 9x

As soon as the computer powers back on, press and hold the key. This should call up the

Windows Startup menu. If this doesnt work, try pressing repeatedly, or consult the

documentation for the computer on the Internet, if available.Enter the number for Safe Mode and press . The computer should then boot into Safe Mode.

InWindows 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 dont have time, you can cancel ScanDisk and run it laterthe sky wont fall .

Booting into SafeMode in Windows

2000 and XPAfter 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

forWindows ____, press F8. Youll have to

press in the few seconds that the

message appears. Once the progress bar starts,

it is too late and youll have to press +

+ as described above to

restart and try again. Some configurations

cause systems not to show any of these

messages. In this case, repeatedly press

as soon as it starts to boot. The following

figure shows the Windows Startup menu.


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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. Youll 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 withWindows. Clear any

that you dont want to start, but do so one check box at a time.


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System Tools

1. Backup

2. Disk Hygiene

3. Disk Cleanup

4. Disk Defragmenter (Defrag)

5. ScanDisk/Chkdsk/Error-checking


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HARDWARE HYGIENE

Computers can get dirty inside. While even computers in particularly clean

environments get dusty inside, computers in dirty environments, such as industrialsettings 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 doesnt 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.


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For more information please visit:

http://www.MohammedAlani.com/students/

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Troubleshooting - Lecture3

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