How To Troubleshoot Your Computer Hardware

<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">by: </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="author">Steven Stoddard</span></span><br /><br />There could be many reasons why you’d want to troubleshoot your computer, well, one actually and that’s because something is not working right. The process of troubleshooting is something you learn after working for a long time with computers. Often enough when there’s a problem, nothing is going to explicitly tell you what is causing the problem and how you can fix it. By taking logical steps and walking through the process of troubleshooting you should be able to solve almost any computer problem, software or hardware related. It involves identifying the problem(s), finding the cause of that problem, determining the solution, executing that solution, and testing and checking that solution to see if it solves your problem.<br /><br />As an example let’s say one day while using your computer the screen suddenly turns all black and you can’t see anything. We found a problem now what would be the first step to take to fix it? First check to see if the monitor is on and is receiving power, most monitors when they have power, but no connection or connection problems with the computer will display a message that says this monitor is working, but make sure you check your cables. So the next logical step to take would be to check the cable to make sure it is properly connected and secured to the VGA slot behind your computer case and to make sure the monitor cable is plugged into the monitor. Now, here’s where you have to decide what would be the next best course of action to take. you could either swap out your monitor with another monitor that you know is working to see if the problem is the monitor itself and nothing else or you can try to see if the problem is your graphics card. If your replacement monitor works, good, then you know your culprit is a bad monitor and you’ll most likely have to get a new one, because monitors are dangerous and too costly service. If the replacement monitor you used shows up a black screen as well, the next thing you’d do is check to make sure the graphics card is properly seated in the motherboard, if it is and the display is still not showing up, then swap out the graphics card to see if your problem is fixed.<br /><br />Generally there are only so many steps you can take before you solve the problem and everything is back in order. Make sure that before you start testing and swapping out parts that the problem wasn’t caused by you changing a software setting in Windows or some ambiguous option in the motherboard’s BIOS that causes your problem. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">read more about...(troubleshoot):</span><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_1172.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1. motherboard</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_3207.html">2. power supply</a></span><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_1361.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3. memory</a><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_1056.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4. hard drive</a><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_9454.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5. monitor</a><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_6450.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6. graphics card</a><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_15.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7. soundcard</a><br /><a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer.html" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">8. processor</a><br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>About The Author:</b></span> </p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Steven Stoddard </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Steve's Tech Guide - A blog that helps you scratch your tech itch with computer guides, informative how-tos, and important news events. </span><br /><a class="hft-urls" href="http://stevestechguide.com/" style="font-style: italic;">http://stevestechguide.com</a></span><br /></div>

by: Steven Stoddard There could be many reasons why you’d want to troubleshoot your computer, well, one actually and that’s because somethin...

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How To Troubleshoot Your Computer Hardware (Hard Drive)

<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >by: </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" class="author" >Steven Stoddard</span></span><b class="author"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> Hard Drive </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> The hard drive is that ultimate safe to everything important on your computer. It keeps all of your information, files and folders, music, videos, favorite websites, and programs. With a bad hard drive there's no reason to have a computer. In terms of fixing a computer if the hard drive isn't salvageable then most people don't even want to bother with the rest, because their computer is probably a piece of junk that has been handed down from time to time.<br /><br />Generally when a hard drive is about to fail it's usually years down the road from first acquiring the computer. So the next best option rather than replacing the drive is to just buy a new computer, or build a new one, because your old one sure is probably not running as fast as it used to. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Luckily before your hard drive kicks the bucket there is usually a few warning signs: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Abnormally slow file transfers </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Problems with booting, especially when Windows is being loaded </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Corrupted files </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Disappearing files or folders </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Loud hard drive noise is a good sign that there is a mechanical problem going on inside </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If your hard drive exhibits any of these signs be sure to transfer all of your files to another source immediately, and do not continue to do day-to-day activities with that hard drive. If it doesn't show any of these tell-tale signs, however you have a gut feeling that your hard drive is on the brink of destruction you can try using many different drive testing utilities available on the internet. The hard drive manufacturer usually has at least one qualified tool that you can download from their website and run.<br /><br />Other ways to check the health of your hard drive involves running the Windows Error Checking tool by right clicking on your hard drive in 'My Computer' then selecting 'Properties' and going to the 'Tool' and clicking on “Check Now”, or checking the SMART status located in your motherboard's BIOS. SMART stands for Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology. Most motherboards nowadays has this technology. It should be automatically enabled in your BIOS, if it's not then your hard drive won't get checked.<br /><br />What it does is on boot up it will perform quick tests on your hard drive to ensure it is running correctly and it will continue to monitor it for any errors or abnormal problems that may occur as long as the computer is turned on. <a href="http://computer-infocentre.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-troubleshoot-your-computer_4042.html"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(home)</span></a><br /><br /></span><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">About The Author:</span> </p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Steven Stoddard</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Steve's Tech Guide - A blog that helps you scratch your tech itch with computer guides, informative how-tos, and important news events. </span><br /><a class="hft-urls" href="http://stevestechguide.com/" style="font-style: italic;">http://stevestechguide.com</a></span> <br /></div>

by: Steven Stoddard Hard Drive The hard drive is that ultimate safe to everything important on your computer. It keeps all of your informa...

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Things You Need To Know Before Choosing A New Computer

<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><em>By teahupoo</em></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Many people when getting a new computer already know what they need in a good computer but to others it is like a totally different language. Many people already know exactly what they need and want to get the master computer. Others are like well should I just get this computer or that one. You need to know what you need before you buy random things.The person that is buying the computer should know what they need or what they need the computer for.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The right answer to what you need is the largest and fastest. It would be a good idea to go ahead and just buy the best just to save money in the long run.If you are a starter then you will just want to buy the computer that has everything you need to get started. Like monitor keyboard, CPU, and mouse.The next thing you will need to know is what you are going to be using the CPU for. Are you going to just be surfing the internet or playing games online. You will want to know what you are going to be using your CPU for.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">There are many different CPUs for many different users.The other thing that is perhaps most important is the price range. How much are you willing to spend and how much you can spend at most. You will need to spend however much it takes to get what you want, especially if you are wanting the best.You will want to get the CPU with the biggest hard drive, the fastest CPU and the most RAM. You are probably saying I only need basic well its better to at least get a little but upgraded so you don't have to upgrade all that much in the future. If you are buying a package you will at least want to stick with the well known brands of computers going off the path will lead you to crashes and breakdowns of the lower quality computer.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Even though those other brands may be a bit more expensive it will be worth it when you have a working computer to use and not a broke down one.You should already know where you are going to buy it from and if not you will need to start looking because there are a lot of places that sell them for cheap and a lot of places that sell them for way more than they are worth.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Newegg is a good place to get a built computer or package they have good parts and computers for cheaper prices. If you are a newbie then maybe you just need the simple package if you are a gamer then you probably already know what to do. </span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><em>About the Author<br />Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about computers as well as </em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.computersystemsandaccessories.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>computer accessories</em></span></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> at http://www.computersystemsandaccessories.com</span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em></em></span>

By teahupoo Many people when getting a new computer already know what they need in a good computer but to others it is like a totally differ...

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When, Why, And How Should I Reformat My Hard Drive?

<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Submitted By: <a class="biggerlink" href="http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Timothy+Scheiman">Timothy Scheiman</a></span><br /><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Sometimes we have no choice when it comes to reformatting your hard drive. Just make sure you understand that all your data will be lost unless you take the time to backup files you do not want to lose. This should only be done as a last resort.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">When should I reformat my hard drive? If your windows files are corrupted beyond repair or you have files missing and all your attempts to repair have failed. If you have a virus and all your attempts at removal has not worked. Another reason would be if your computer is infected with spy-ware to the point you cannot open Internet Explorer or your computer's performance has slowed considerably. Another reason would be if your computer will not finish a successful de-frag</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Why should I reformat my hard drive? One of the biggest complaints I used to get when working with a clients computer was that it was so slow and it used to be a lot faster. Computers will lose performance over many months of use if it has not been de-fragged, multiple spy-ware infections, multiple virus infections, registry errors, files left after we un-installed programs we are not using. All these factors over time will slow your computer to a crawl. It would be a good idea when your computer is to the point that all your attempts to correct the problems have not improved the situation. If your at this point than its time you make preparations to reload your computer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">How should I reformat my hard drive?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">1. Before you can begin to reformat your hard drive you must try to backup any files you may want to keep. Keep in mind if your computer is infected so can the files your backing up be infected. Before you proceed with the backup process separate the files you want to keep into a separate folder. Any folders that contain files you want to keep you can drag and drop those into this folder too.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">2. Run a scan virus and spy-ware on this folder and make sure these files are not infected. Any files that cannot be repaired get rid of them.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">3. You can backup your folder easy if you have CDRW or zip drive. If you have a secondary hard drive you could just drag and drop those files into it. Just make sure you label your folder backup so you can find it easily. Many of you have songs and pictures you want to keep you can backup those too as long as they are clean from infection.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">4. Don't forget to backup your history and bookmarks folder if you do not want to los that information. Take inventory of all items you want to keep and put them in this folder and scan them. This should keep your losses to minimum.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">5. Your computer manufacturer would have given you a restore CD and driver CD. You should have least one of each depending on the manufacturer you may have more than just two. If you cannot find your CD's or they are damaged you can get replacement from your computer manufacturer for nominal fee. It is a good idea when you first take your computer out of the box to put the CD's in a safe place. You can also make backups of them so if they become damaged you don't have to buy replacements.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">6. If your computer came loaded with Windows XP it is very easy to reformat your computer with the CD. Do not copy Windows over Windows always delete the partition when it prompts you and create a new partition. The next step it will ask you to format the drive and it completes these steps easily for you.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">7. It will than run Windows setup and load XP back onto your computer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">8. If your computer is older and your running Windows 98/ME the process is basically the same except depending on your computer manufacturers restore disk you may have a some different steps. You may be required to reformat your drive with a DOS boot disk. Consult your manual for instructions.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">9. Your computer manufacturer also supplied driver disks and possibly applications disks. Once Windows is loaded you would use your driver disk to load the applicable drivers you need to operate your computer efficiently. Once all your drivers are installed and working correctly you can install any applications.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">10. Your computer manufacturer bundled some trial applications with your computer that the licenses have expired putting those back on at this point is not necessary. You do not have to put on any applications you are not using. If your not using them just save the space for other things.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">11. Now you can put the backup folder you created back on your computer. Once you have accomplished that you can drag and drop the files and folders into their original positions over writing any folders Windows created.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">12. Now you would install your virus and spy-ware program and make sure you can get on the Internet.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">13. Once your on the Internet do not do anything else until you have done all the windows updates. This is critical so you get your browsers security updated. Install any service packs and make sure your Windows firewall is activated.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">14. Run any virus definition updates and spy-ware updates.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">15. This process make take several hours to get everything up and running but it is important that you do this so your computer operates efficiently.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">If you have completed all the steps congratulations you just reloaded your computer and your ready to go.</p> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-8542272527121315"; google_alternate_ad_url = "http://www.isnare.com/adsense-alt-728x90.php"; google_ad_width = 728; google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_ad_channel ="8710800197"; google_color_border = "F5F7FB"; google_color_bg = "F5F7FB"; google_color_link = "0000FF"; google_color_url = "3E3F43"; google_color_text = "3E3F43"; //--></script><br /><div style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;" id="authorbio"><p style="padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); width: 100%;" class="text"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>About the Author</b>:<br /><br />A+ Certified Technician with many years experience in the Computer Support field. <a href="http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/">http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/</a></span></p></div>

Submitted By: Timothy Scheiman Sometimes we have no choice when it comes to reformatting your hard drive. Just make sure you understand that...

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