Ever wonder how those expensive yet experienced computer technicians fix computer hardware problems that you see in videos easily and in a jiffy and then curiosity strikes you really hard that you try it out on your very own computer and POOF!You try to celebrate but when you turn on your computer, you suddenly face the “Blue Screen of Death”. Then you bring it to your nearest computer shop and get it fixed and then the technician asks you to pay up his services. So that just makes your wallet empty. So do you want to still have that spent cash and the time but gain some knowledge at the same time? Then try reading tutorials gathered from every corner of the earth with the computer experts comments on it and all for free. Tutorials may range from Basic PC Repairs to Networking.
Archive for the 'Basic Computer Hardware Repairs' Category
Keyboards are essential to avid Computer Users. It is used primarily to type or enter characters which are understandable by the computer. But little do they know about the innards of it. It is composed of the Rubber Dome, the Key Matrix or Membrane and the Keyboard Controller each with a specific task. Then something wrong happens! Your keyboard doesn’t work anymore.You ponder and think what you did before the keyboard was still functioning. Then you remember spilling water in your keyboard but didn’t bother to wipe it. That may have caused the problem. So here are some tips in fixing your water-spilled keyboard :
First, disconnect your keyboard from your CPU and open it. Then, try to wipe the components of your keyboard especially the key matrix and the keyboard controller (if you see signs of presence of water on it). Next, before trying to place it back together, let it dry first. You really don’t want to experience another keyboard problem, would you? Other things can also cause problems to your keyboard like paper clips and other metals that gets inside it. One thing to remember, when opening the keyboard, always put the screws and domes in a safe place… One lost dome is directly equal to one lost keyboard letter and one lost screw equals unstability of the keyboard.
A Power Supply is the most reliable component in your computer and one of the important ones. Without it, imagine using the computer with just seeing one thing, NOTHING. Now, wouldn’t you hate to see that? Haha..
Here’s a trivia about power supplies : it only has one moving part and if something wrong happens to it, one probable reason would be the cooling fan so check it out once in a while.
And now to the easy part, troubleshooting and repairing. Start by disconnecting the power supply. SAFETY FIRST everyone.
You will have to open the case to do the following procedures. You may have to take the power supply out before you even find the new one, if you have a digital camera take some pictures of the interior of the computer, you can refer to the pictures when you reassemble it, especially if it takes a long time to get the new part.
If you have a proprietary computer then you can check the web site for the correct power supply for your computer by make and model. For those of us that have clone, home built, or BIG computers we will have to check the power supply for information before we purchase a new one. Most power supplies have a label on them that give you the wattage and maybe a manufacture with a part number. The main thing we are looking for is the wattage. If you have to replace a power supply because of failure I suggest you go to a higher wattage power supply. Next you want to look at the connectors. The connectors are two types, the mother board power connector and the accessories power connectors (connectors for drives, fans, etc.). Some ATX power supplies also come with the SATA power connectors. The main power connector will be the AT (almost obsolete) or ATX, the AT has 20 pins, the ATX has 24 of pins. Next you need to know the dimensions of the power supply, if you purchase a power supply that is to big to fit into the bay the old one came out of you will have to return it and get the correct size.
Ok, got the new part, set it beside the old one, do they match up? Some power supplies have tabs that lock into the bay where the power supply is installed. Everything OK? Do you remember how it came apart? No? check your pictures!! Reassemble the computer, power supplies do not need a burn if in case you are wondering.
All back together? Check your connections one more time, tug on them, they should not come out of the sockets. All good, put the case cover back on, reconnect the external cables, power it up. Good to go??
No? Disconnect the power cord!! Check your work something is going to ground. Check all the connections, compare your work with the pictures you took before disassembling the computer. Check the memory and any card in the slots, one of them may have been bumped and came partially out of the slot.
Til` Then! Jya`ne!!
Sources:
Do It Yourself Computer Repair E-book by Monte Russell
You might be wondering why you hear an unfamiliar noise from your CPU and you sometimes face a hardware error that you don’t even understand.
Maybe this video can help you out a little bit..
It might range from CPU Fan malfunction to Processor slowing down to Heatsinks that can’t be used so try to check this out..
Possible Questions regarding troubleshooting CPU and Motherboard Errors:
a. Why should I even bother troubleshooting the problem?
– Troubleshooting problems by yourself saves up the time and money. It also increases your knowledge regarding these kinds of situations you would encounter lately.
b. Then if I try to fix the problem, would the procedures be easy?
-It would be easy if you know the know-hows of the parts but if you also follow the instructions carefully and try not to guess what’s next to do then you’re gonna be fine. Fixing it would range from just reseating the component to removing the component then placing it back could fix the problem.
c. Would this fix the problem?
-There are some instances that when doing the procedures, it leads to failure so that just means that the component needs to be replaced.
And one more thing, always check the safety precautions before opening and never do anything unless you know something about what you are going to do.
