Computer Maintenance

Computer Maintenance
What is it?

If you just use your PC regularly, and have never done any maintenance, you will most likely run into many problems, computer slows down, you get a lot of freezes, files and programs take forever to open. Windows comes with a set of utilities to aid in the maintenance of your computer. Read more about them, and how to perform them here: Detailed instructions are offsite links to ctechie.com .
Scan Disk

Your Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is used a lot during your computer sessions, a lot of use can result in physical damage to the HDD, as well as other damage such as file fragments becoming lost, unknown or unreadable. Do a thorough scan disk at least once a month. Before doing a scan disk, close all programs.
Click Here to see full instructions on how to perform a scan disk - http://www.ctechie.com/scandisk.html
Defragmentation

Ideally, file sectors should be on continuous locations on your hard disk, this means to open a file, the Operating System does not have to do much file processing work. But when you delete a program, or a file, it leaves a gap, a new file may replace some of this gap, and replace another gap somewhere else. When this file needs to be opened, more processing, taking much more time is required. Disk Defragmenter takes this sectors and puts them back together as best as it can, to make the process faster and more efficient. Do this at least once every two weeks, close ALL programs, ALL internet connections down. Turn off the screensaver, and don't interact with your pc until complete. Perform a Scan Disk first.
Click Here to see full instructions on how to perform Disk Defragmentation - http://www.ctechie.com/defrag.html
Msconfig

This utility lets you do various things to check your pc's startup, process what starts up, and how the pc should start up next time, for purposes of tracing errors. Click Here to see full instructions on how to make use of Msconfig - http://www.redneckrepairs.com/~euchre/msconfig.shtml
Disk Cleanup

It's important to keep as much free disk space as possible, a full HDD will run slow, and it will take longer to do the above processes as there are more files to scan. Virtual Memory requires large amounts of HDD space, if your HDD is full, the space is not available for Virtual Memory.

Temporary/old files
If you plan to do either of the above, do this first. This looks in common folders were temporary files are stored, which are safe to delete, recycle bin, history, temporary files, temporary internet files etc. It tells you how many MBs of space the files are taking. 1 GB (HDD are measured in GBs) is 1024MB. So 500MB of temporary files is almost half a GB.
Utilities/Programs/Applications
You probably install many programs, photo programs, word processors, MP3 players, and games. Young children are always installing games. These programs take up huge spaces on HDD, large games can take from 0.5 GBs to 1GB alone. If you don't use these programs anymore, its worth deleting them, so long as you have the CD, you can put them back at any time.
Click Here to see full instructions on how to perform a Disk Cleanup. - Onsite link

Document Files
Ever let a child, or have you ever played with paint brush and saved a file to the HDD. Paint Brush saves files in Bitmap (.bmp) format, this format has NO compression, and creates very large files. Look in your my documents folder often and delete files which are no longer required, they all free up hard drive space, and could aid in keeping your new computer working new!

Troubleshoot the Worst PC

How to Troubleshoot the Worst PC Disasters
Vanishing files? Flaky connections? Don't panic! Here's what to do when technology turns evil.
Michael Desmond
Thursday, May 01, 2003 01:00 AM PDT

What do you do when your computer suddenly seems possessed? Whether it's satanic software or a hard drive from hell, there are hundreds of vexing problems that can make it devilishly difficult to get anything done.

Don't call for an exorcist just yet. For most people, a little troubleshooting knowledge goes a long way. We'll show you how to solve puzzling network failures, save devices that were accidentally dropped in water, retrieve mistakenly deleted digital photos, and even revive a dead hard drive by popping it into a freezer.

Not every trick in these pages will work for everyone, but they're worth a shot when things go bad. With a pinch of luck and a bit of skill, you can send those digital demons back to wherever they came from.

Next page: Memory Mayhem
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Guide to Computer Troubleshooting

Guide to Computer Troubleshooting and Repair - PC Troubleshooting Manual

Copyright 2006 by Morris Rosenthal, All Rights Reserved
See also my Guide to second hand notebook prices and Laptop Troubleshooting

PC's are actually much easier to repair these days than in the early 90's when I wrote the my old guide for technicians I was training. The number of discrete parts in a PC has dropped radically since I first cracked open an PC AT in 1985. The average PC these days has less than a dozen parts, unless you start counting cables, and that total includes the keyboard and mouse! So, some new techs figure the way to learn computer repair and troubleshooting is to carry around a few spare parts and swap-til-you-drop. Well, it doesn't really work that way for a number of reasons, including the fact that all the really tough problems are intermittent, so diagnosing the problem correctly is actually the main challenge. Computer hardware problems are less common than software problems (just think about all the malware and viri running about the Internet), and there are far fewer variables to consider when learning to troubleshoot PC hardware. The real trick is to go about it in a systematic matter, eliminating possibilities whenever possible before you start purchasing replacement parts. To that end, I developed a series of diagnostic flowcharts for logical approach to computer repair. Four miniature flowcharts are below, the full size versions are accessed by clicking on the images or the links. All of the flowcharts are excerpted from the published book "Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts" which is also used as a technicians field manual and a course text in technical colleges.

Click on the thumbnails below for full size interactive troubleshooting charts.

Power Supply Troubleshooting

The first place to start is always confirming that the power supply is operating properly. When you start troubleshooting a dead computer, never ignore the possibility that the AC power to the PC's power supply is at fault. Power supplies often fail gradually, giving rise to symptoms that appear to be caused by individual component failure. Many cheaper PC's ship with power supplies I would basically describe as "disposable." If I had to choose one part to blame the majority of intermittent failures in cheap PC's on, it would be the power supply.


Video Failure Troubleshooting

When we talk about troubleshooting video failures, we're usually talking about no image at all on the screen. The easy cases to diagnose are those where the monitor or LCD isn't powering up properly, or the PC not powering up. Video card failure isn't uncommon, and video cards can lose their contact with the motherboard, especially early AGP adapters which frequently popped out of their slot. Video failure can also be due to motherboard failure or to external interference, when it comes to poor image quality.

Motherboard and CPU Troubleshooting

There are very few instances when you'd turn on a PC, have it either power up or not, and be able to say, "Oh, that's a motherboard problem." Motherboard failures usually show up as second level problems, like "I've replaced the video card and the screen is still dead." If you want to learn how to repair PC's without swapping every part, it's critical to know what to look for on a powered up system, like a CPU fan that isn't running, or RAM that stays cold. Sometimes you can spot a blown capacitor on a motherboard, but it's not a common problem.


Hard Drive Failure Troubleshooting

Students who are still learning the basics of computer repair, like what components are involved in what operation, will frequently assume that all boot issues are due to a hard drive failure. The truth is, of all the four subsystems represented in this table, hard drives are probably the most reliable. I don't mean that hard drives last longer than memory modules or video cards in the pure MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) sense, I mean they are rarely at fault when you're called in to repair a PC. Hard drive failures are generally pretty easy to troubleshoot, in part because the operating system will include tools to report on the hard drive's reliability when it's accessible..

I'm putting some thought into whether or not I want to extend this guide to how to troubleshoot basic software issues. The problem is that the number of variations are pretty much without limit. Still, I've seen people go nuts, assuming that they have a virus when it's really a flaky power supply or an overheated CPU.

More step-by-step PC Repair procedures

Buying computer hardware

Hardware

* Buying computer hardware
o Questions to ask before buying a computer: #1, #2
o Simple explanations of computer hardware: #1, #2, #3, #4
o Computer terms: #1, #2, #3
o Computer related acronyms and abbreviations: #1
o History of computers: #1, #2, #3
o How computers work is a series of articles providing illustrated explanations of how computer hardware and software works.
o Dave's guides provide explanations of various Windows operating systems, hardware components and configuarations and options for Internet access and where and how to buy:
+ PCs (i.e., personal computers)
+ notebooks (These computers used to be called laptops.)
+ used PCs
o Reviews
+ PC World
+ PC Magazine (scroll down page)
+ Smart Computing
+ Build your own computer: #1

* Setting up computers
o Turning computers on and off: #1, #2, #3
o Should I turn my computer off?: #1, #2, #3
o Waterwheel.com describes how to buy, install and troubleshoot video and sound cards, hard drives, floppy drives, CD-Rom drives, more memory, modems, network cards, motherboards and modems.
o Dave's guide to setup and upgrading

o Power and surge protection
+ How surge protectors work also recommends the amount of protection needed.
+ Uninterruptible power supply
o Using computers without injuries:
+ Safety and comfort guide
+ 12 tips for an Ergonomic Computer Workstation
+ Ergonomic information and supplies.
+ How to choose an ergonomic chair

* Maintaining hardware
o Computer maintenance discusses the need for keeping computers cool and clean.
o techruler.com provides explanations of and directions for starting disk clean-up, scan disk and disk defragmenter plus some diriections for solving problems like frozen screen, slow computer, and too many programs open during start up. Use disk clean-up, scan disk and disk defragmenter in this order, not the order given on techrulers.com's page.
o Bios Guide

* Troubleshooting hardware
o Dave's guide to troubleshooting explains the causes of computer problems and how to think like a trouble shooter; the causes of computer problems; provides a list of tools and advice on contacting technical support.
o Waterwheel.com describes how to buy, install and troubleshoot video and sound cards, hard drives, floppy drives, CD-Rom drives, more memory, modems, network cards, motherboards and modems.

* Mouse
o Using the mouse
+ Mouserobics by the author of this page is one of the most widely used hands-on mouse tutorials. Others have translated Mouserobics into Danish, Spanish, French, Hmong and Tagalog.
+ Other hands-on mouse tutorial: #1
+ What is the right mouse button for? #1, #2
+ Using the mouse without causing pain or repetitive strain injury: #1, #2
+ Alternative mice

o Adjusting the mouse to make it work better for you
+ For Windows 98 Pointer size and color, speed
+ For Windows ME mouse options: #1
+ For Windows 2000 mouse options: #1
+ For Windows XP mouse options: #1
+ Adjust the mouse, keyboard, and display to work better with your abilities and disabilities: #1

o Maintenance of the mouse
+ Cleaning the inside of the mouse: #1, #2
+ How the mouse works is an illustrated article.

* Keyboard: #1, #2, #3
* Viruses:
o What are viruses?:#1
o Virus encyclopedias describing specific viruses: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
o Virus hoax encyclopedias: #1, #2 (Virus hoaxes are only dangerous when people follow the directions in e-mails warning about such and such virus which doesn't exist.)
o Virus protection:
+ Reviews of anti-virus software: #1, #2, #3, #4
+ Free anti-virus scanners and cleaners:
# Trend Micro Housecall
# Bitdefender
# RAV
# AVG
# Avast
o Printers:

# Keyboard

* Description of keys: Author's own tutorial
* Typing tutorial
* Typing test measures your typing speed.
* How keyboards work is an illustrated article.
* Keyboard shortcuts can be used in place of clicking main menu options.
o Keystrokes common to many programs: #1, #2, #3
o Moving cursor, Windows 95, Word, Excel
o Web browser
o Macintosh computers
* Adjust the keyboard to work better with your abilities and disabilities:
o Sticky keys allow pressing the shift key and then a letter key to type a capital letter. Great for one armed typists.
+ Windows 98: #1
+ Windows 2000: #1, #2
+ Windows ME: #1, #2
+ Windows XP:#1

o Filter keys adjust the speed at which letters appear when letter keys are pressed. Slowing down the repeat rate eliminates the duplication of letters for typists with shaky hands.
+ For Windows 98: #1
+ For Windows 2000: #1, #2
+ For Windows ME: #1, #2
+ For Windows XP: #1
* Ideal typing posture
* Guidelines for laptop computer users
* Tips for using the keyboard without repetitive strain injuries: #1, #2
* Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: #1, #2, #3, #4
* Exercises to repetitive strain injuries: #1, #2, #3
* Alternative keyboards

# Monitor

* Types of monitors
* Guide to buying a monitor: #1
* Adjust the way the screen displays for those with visibility problems.
o Large icons: #1, #2
o Color scheme of windows: #1, #2
o Color of specific windows elements: #1
o Size of letters on windows: #1
o Design of desktop: #1
* Viewing angle and distance in computer workstations
* More tips for protecting your vision: #1, #2, #3

# Computer case

* Tours of computer cases
o How computer memory works is a series of illustrated articles explainining the various types of computer memory.
o Illustrated explanation of floppy drives, hard drives and CD-ROM drives
o How Inside the PC Works is a series of articles providing illustrated explanations of how computer components inside the computer case works.
o More detailed, but non-illustrated tour.
o Extensive non-illustrated explanation of all computer hardware
o Connectors to case
+ Connectors to computer case.
+ How serial ports work
+ How parallel ports work

* Drives: hard drives, floppy drives, CD-ROM drives
o Installing and maintaining floppy drives, hard drives and CD-ROM drives
o Floppy disks: #1
o Maintaining hard drives
+ How hard disks work is an illustrated article explaining how they work.
+ Hard disk cleanup: What is it?; How to do it.
+ Hard disk scandisk: What is it?; How to do it.
+ Hard disk defragmenter: What is it?; How to do it
o Backing up your hard drive
+ Basics: #1, #2 #3, #4
+ Advanced: #1
o Saving space

* CD-ROM drives;
o How CD burners work

# Printers

* How inkjet printers work is a more detailed and illustrated explanation how inkjet printers work.
* How laser printers work is a more detailed and illustrated explanation how laser printers work.
* Connecting printers:
* More links to tutorials about printers

# Scanners

* Tutorials: #1
* How scanners work is an illustrated article.

# Digital cameras: #1, #2

# Laptops:

* Cleaning: #1

notebook PC hard drives

, almost all notebook PC hard drives use a standard pin interface based on the IDE spec. For about $10, you can purchase a laptop hard-drive adapter that allows you to plug your notebook hard disk directly into a desktop computer. Once the drive is connected to a working PC, you can apply the full battery of diagnostic and repair tools to the drive--something you can't do on a dead-as-a-doornail notebook. You can find an adapter cable at PC Connection.
Hard-Disk CPR, Part 1

DISASTER: Your hard drive is dying, and you have the parade of error messages and system crashes to prove it.

SOLUTION: The drive may be overheating due to high room temperatures or insufficient air flow inside the system case. Make sure nothing is blocking the flow of air through your PC. Turn the computer off and let it cool. If your machine will boot, back up your data. Then follow the steps in the next paragraph to check the disk for file-structure errors and sections that don't hold data reliably.

On the desktop, double-click My Computer, right-click (C:) or Local Disk (C:), and click Properties. Click the Tools tab and then Check Now in the 'Error-checking' area. In Windows 98 and Me, the ScanDisk dialog box will open; choose Thorough and leave 'Automatically fix errors' unselected. In Windows 2000 and XP, the Check Disk dialog box opens; leave its two check boxes unselected. Then in all Windows versions, click Start. If asked, tell Windows to discard any lost file fragments and to fix files.

If your PC won't boot to Windows and you hear your drive spinning, your PC Setup program's disk setting may be incorrect. Look on the drive itself to see if the setting is specified there, or call the drive maker. Restart the system and then enter your PC Setup program by pressing the key that the on-screen directions specify. Verify that the disk setting is correct, then exit Setup.
Hard-Disk CPR, Part 2

A dead drive may mean a faulty IDE cable is connected to it. Replace or swap the cable with a working one. If that doesn't work, try one of a variety of data-recovery utilities, including the $100 Norton SystemWorks 2003, the $199 Ontrack EasyRecovery DataRecovery Edition, or the $299 Winternals Disk Commander. If you prefer not to use a data-recovery utility, consider the advice below in "Deep C: Salvage." If all of these options fail, then you'll have to purchase a new hard drive.
Deep C: Salvage

DISASTER: Your drive died and went to heaven. How can you retrieve your files?

SOLUTION: Given the cost of storage these days (80GB for under $100), the cheapest solution is to replace your dead hard drive and then restore your system to its previous state with your backup. What, no backup? You can try services like Ontrack's Data Recovery Center. Though pricey (typically over $100 to recover a single drive's data), it's effective. Winternals' $399 ERD Commander 2002 is another costly yet outstanding utility; it boots your PC directly from a CD-ROM, and its Windows-like interface makes it easy to use.

Here's a last-gasp trick for copying data from a drive that won't read or spin: Place the disk in a Ziploc freezer bag and pop it into the freezer for an hour. Seriously. Cooling the disk can subtly change the geometry of the head and platters, enabling the drive to pick up data for a brief period of time. Make sure you have a new hard disk installed, as well as mirroring software like Norton Ghost ready to make a one-shot transfer of the old disk's contents.

Still no luck? Here's your final--albeit slim--hope: Use a Torx driver (a screwdriver with a star-shaped head) to remove the cover from the hard drive and then give the drive heads a gentle tap. Hook the drive to your system (yes, with the top off) and see if you can access the disk.

Troubleshooting a

Troubleshooting a "Broken" Laptop
Adapted From: Laptops For Dummies Quick Reference
Printer-ready version

There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe all the possible combinations of mechanical failures, human errors, and software issues that result in a "broken" laptop. However, there are several likely sources — some are easy to fix and some are extremely bad news. But before you declare your laptop as dead as a Monty Python parrot ("stiff, bereft of life, resting in peace, off the twig, kicked the bucket, shuffled off its mortal coil, and a member of the choir invisible"), consider some of these possible sources of problems.
Lack of power

Powerlessness can come (or not come) from many sources.

* It could be a problem with the battery:

• The battery may be fully discharged. Even if a laptop computer is not being used, the battery will slowly drain over time; the older and more used the system, the shorter the shelf life for the battery.

• The battery may be improperly installed in its slot or bay. It could even be an unfortunate design flaw that allows the battery to work its way out of its connectors.

Try running the machine from its AC adapter. If it comes to life, you know that the computer itself is working. The next task is to determine whether the battery was merely bereft of electrons and needs to be charged, or whether it can't hold a charge and needs to be replaced.

* It could be a problem with the AC adapter:

• The AC adapter may be improperly connected. Some adapters have two cords — one that plugs into the wall outlet at one end and the incoming side of the adapter at the other, and another cord that plugs into the adapter output and continues to a plug that connects to the laptop. Make certain everything is snugly attached. The wall outlet may not be live. Try another outlet, or plug a lamp or radio in to confirm that it's powered. Remember that some wall outlets are controlled by wall switches and may not be powered all the time.

• It could be a problem with the internal electrical parts of the laptop, which isn't good news. The motherboard, the AC adapter, or another critical component is fried. If you can borrow a compatible known-good AC adapter from a friend, repair shop, or store, see if it brings the computer to life. If not, decide whether the system is worth repairing.
Wireless hardware

Nearly all current laptop computers with built-in WiFi circuitry have a physical switch that you must turn on to energize the transmitter/receiver. (The switch is there to help conserve battery power when the WiFi system isn't needed, and also to comply with requirements by airlines and some high-security offices that there be no unauthorized radio equipment in use.)

Consult your laptop's instruction manual or call the support desk to find the switch; better machines may add a tiny LED indicator that glows when power is on. Note that some machines may enable or disable the circuitry with a soft switch within a utility program.

The other common cause for WiFi problems is the lack of an acceptable signal or a blocked signal. Certain types of objects, including metal screens or particular types of building construction, block signals. And the fact is that some laptops have better antennae or better receivers; sometimes the solution is to rotate the laptop or move to a new location.
Wired hardware

A damaged or improperly attached Ethernet cable at the laptop or router end may be the culprit. Try substituting a known-good replacement cable.

Problems with the network interface card (NIC) may be the cause, too. If you're using an external adapter that connects to the laptop's USB port or PC Card slot, make sure it's properly plugged in. External devices usually have LED lights that indicate a proper connection; consult the instruction manual for the device to determine their precise meaning.

You can check on the status of a built-in NIC:

1. Go to the Windows Control Panel and double-click the System icon.

2. Choose the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.

3. Expand the Network Adapters item, then double-click the listed hardware.

You see a hardware report in the Device status window. If you want to continue searching for a hardware problem, click the Troubleshoot button and follow the instructions given by Windows.
Wireless software

Nearly all laptop manufacturers add special utility programs to the Control Panel to set up and manage the WiFi circuitry. A typical wireless link utility includes a Hardware tab that includes a report on the device status, properties, and a Troubleshoot button.
Wired software

Use the Windows facilities to troubleshoot your settings:

1. Go to the Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Network Connections icon.

3. Double-click the local area network (LAN) set up on your machine.

• If no network is set up, then there's your problem. Go back to the Control Panel and this time choose Network Setup Wizard.

• If you do have a LAN and double-click it, you go to the Local Area Connection Status window.

4. Choose the Support tab.

You see a report from Windows about the connection and can choose to click a Repair button (to attempt to fix problems) or refresh the settings.

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Related Titles

Laptops For Dummies, 2nd Edition
PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 3rd Edition
Tablet PCs For Dummies
Wireless All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies
Troubleshooting Your PC For Dummies, 2nd Edition