Basic PC Troubleshooting

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Basic PC Troubleshooting
This presentation is intended to assist you in
troubleshooting basic problems that can occur
with hardware and software.
NOTE This presentation contains action buttons
to move to the next or the previous slide so you
can view it at your own pace.
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It is important that you become familiar with
the connection points on the computer. Not all
computers will be arranged in this exact
configuration but all will contain these major
connections. The sites for failure on a computer
system are anywhere a connection is made. Power
is the most critical so if a component does not
function, when turned on, always check to see if
the cord is secured at the component and is
plugged into an active electrical outlet. If you
are having any problem with any components i.e.
monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, or scanner
make sure it is connected properly to the
computer and to a power source. Some USB devices
receive their power from the computer and do not
require a separate electrical plug. The final
slides of this presentation list step by step
courses of action for specific issues.
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Serial ports are a legacy components that are
no longer used.
Serial Ports
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Parallel Port (LPT-1)
This is a port utilized for connection to
printers. They are now used much less with the
addition of USB ports on modern printers.
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These ports are used for mouse and
keyboard Connections. Keyboards are normally
coded by the color blue and mice by the
color green. Newer mice and keyboards are now
using USB connections.
PS2 Ports
USB components can be disconnected and
reconnected with the computer powered up.
PS2 components cannot. You must restart the
computer after unplugging them.
PS2 Connector
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USB ports are now the most popular connection
used on the modern PCs. Most components are
utilizing them including mice, keyboards,
printers, scanners, cameras, and more. The
biggest advantage in using them is that they can
be disconnected and reconnected without
rebooting the computer.
USB Ports
USB Connector
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This is for the network cable. When the
connection is working properly there will be
two light visible where the cable connects to the
PC. If both lights are not illuminated check to
make sure the other end of the cable is plugged
into the wall or floor socket.
Network Cable Connection
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Audio Out Speakers Headphones
Audio Input/Output
Auxiliary Audio In
Microphone In
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There is a corresponding connection on the
back of the monitor.
RS-232
Monitor Connection (RS-232)
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Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)
The UPS is only intended to supply enough power
to the computer, during a power outage, for it
to be shut down correctly. It will not supply
enough power to keep it running during a extended
outage. To turn the unit on check to make sure
the unit is plugged into a wall or floor outlet.
Then press the power button. If the power light
does not light, there is a built in circuit
breaker to prevent excessive current from
reaching the computer, check to see that the
breaker is set.
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Troubleshooting Quick Reference
Problem Computer operations. i.e., links or
shortcuts are missing, mapped drives are not
available, printers are not displayed, computer
is frozen and applications fail to respond, and
so on and so forth   REBOOT
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Problem Computer does not startup when power
button is pushed   Suggested Course of
action Is the power button light on the tower
illuminated? Are the lights on the keyboard
illuminated?   Check cable connections and power
sources (1) check the power cable connection at
the back of the computer and at the power supply
(2) check the power supply power cable
connection at the wall or floor socket (3) is
the power supply turned on? (4) is the circuit
breaker switch set?
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Problem The keyboard or mouse do not
respond   Suggested course of action (1)
determine if they are USB or PS2 connectors (2)
if USB check the connection at the tower (3) if
PS2 , turn the computer off and check the
connection then restart the computer
Problem Monitor does not display   Suggested
course of action (1) is the computer on? (2)
check the power cable connection at the back of
the monitor and at the power supply (3) check the
video cable connection at the back of the monitor
and at the back of the tower (4) is the power
supply turned on? (5) is the circuit breaker
switch set?
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• Problem Printer will not print
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• For a local printer connected directly to your
  computer, is the printer turned on and plugged
  into a power source (?)
• check the data connections USB or Parallel on
  the printer and on your tower
• (1) For a networked printer, is the printer
  turned on and plugged into a power source (?)
• (2) check the network cable on your computer to
  see if it is secure and plugged in both at the
  computer and the wall outlet

Problem Miscellaneous Printer Problems   Most
printer problems will be displayed as a
notification on the printers screen i.e. paper
jams, low ink. Paper jams need to be cleared by
lifting the cover on the printer or the paper
tray and looking for paper lodged inside it.