| Common Error
Messages | Mouse | Keyboard | Printer | Monitor | Sound | Networking | Frozen PC | Dead PC |
Listed below are a few
troubleshooting techniques to try before calling a technician. Always
check the cable connections first:
1. Make sure all the cables are pushed in completely on the back
of the computer. Always shut down the computer before unplugging
and replugging the mouse, keyboard, and other cables. You could
short out the motherboard by plugging in some cables while the system
is running.
2. Check the power strip connection to make sure it is plugged into
the wall firmly. Also, try plugging in another piece of equipment
into that socket to make sure the outlet works.
3. Make sure both the power connection and the video connection
are pushed in all the way on the back of the monitor.
4. If you have a PC2TV converter, check to make sure all cables
are firmly plugged in and the converter is getting power. |
Common
Error Messages
1. When turning on the machine you see: "Non-System disk or disk
error. Replace and strike any key when ready."
Take out the diskette in your floppy drive
2. When turning on the machine this message comes up: "Windows
was not properly shut down. One or more of your disk drives may have
errors on it. Press any key to run ScanDisk on these drives."
The machine did not use the shut down sequence.
It will run through a scan to check the system.
3. While you are working, this message comes up: "Not enough
memory/Insufficient memory"
There are too many programs opened at the
same time. Close some and try again. Also, memory leaks have probably
occurred. Reboot the machine.
back to
top |
Mouse
If the mouse is moving erratically, it may need cleaning:
1. Shut down the machine and unplug the
mouse from the computer.
2. Open the underside of the mouse by unscrewing the guard and remove
the ball.
3. Clean the track ball with a soft cloth (do not use rubbing alcohol).
4. Clean the rollers in the body of the mouse with a cotton swab
slightly dampened with alcohol.
5. When the rollers are dry, replace the track ball and the guard.
back to top |
Keyboard
If the machine is making a constant beeping noise when you turn the
machine on, the keyboard has probably come unplugged:
1. Turn the machine off.
2. Securely reconnect the keyboard to the keyboard port on the back
of the computer.
3. Turn the machine back on.
back to top |
Printer
1. Check the cables first. Turn
the computer off. Unplug and replug the printer into the computer.
Be sure the power cable is plugged in and the outlet works.
2. Check to make sure the correct printer is selected in the Print
Dialog box, especially if you are connected to a network printer.
3. Can you print from one application and not another, or is it not
printing from any application?
4. Will a test page print directly from the printer by pressing the
print button on the printer?
back
to top |
Monitor
The monitor is black:
1. Make sure the monitor is turned on by
pressing the power button again.
2. Check to see if the machine is in sleep mode by moving the mouse
around.
3. Check to make sure the power cord on the back of the monitor is
securely plugged in.
4. If the green light is on, check the brightness level using the
buttons on the front panel of the monitor.
5. Check the PC2TV converter to make sure it is plugged in and securely
connected to the computer.
back
to top |
Sound
If there is no sound:
1. Check to make sure the speakers are plugged
into the audio output on the back of the PC. (Symbolized with a circle
and an arrow going out of the circle.)
2. Make sure the speakers are plugged into a working outlet.
3 . Click on the volume icon in the bottom right corner of the monitor
screen. Make sure the mute button is not checked and the slider is
pushed toward the top.
back
to top |
Networking
1.
Make sure the cable connecting the network card into the network
drop is connected to the drop and to the computer.
2. Check the back of the computer to see if the network card light
is on (green).
3. If the site you are trying to get is not coming up, type in a
common URL (like google.com) to see if it is a site fault or a machine
malfunction.
4. Check to see if anyone else is having trouble connecting to the
network.
5. If there is no green light for the network card (located on the
back of the computer), try plugging the cable into another drop
if there is one available in the room.
back
to top |
Frozen
PC
The computer locks up and will not respond to either
keyboard strokes or mouse clicks.
1. Hold down the control key and the alt
key on the keyboard at the same time and then tap on the Delete key.
Determine if any applications have a (not responding) notice by them
in the dialog box. If a program is not responding, single click on
the program name and select END TASK. (Be patient, this may take a
few minutes).
2. If the steps in #1 do not work, press the power button until the
machine turns off (can take up to 5 long counts). Wait about a minute
before turning the computer back on again. When the machine reboots,
an error message will come up that says your machine was not shut
down properly and may run through the scandisk program. After the
scandisk finishes, the machine should be ready to use again.
back
to top |
Dead
PC
1.
First check the cable. Unplug it from the computer and the outlet
and replug in both sides firmly.
2. Check the wall outlet by plugging something else you know is working
into it.
3. Reach behind the machine and make sure air is blowing out of the
power supply area. If you do feel the air, then the machine is getting
power.
4. Make sure the cable from the monitor to the computer is firmly
connected and the power cable from the monitor to the wall outlet
is firmly connected.
5. Listen to identifying beeping series when the machine is turned
on. Report anything unusual to the technician.
back to top |
