Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

by Bethia Austin

​Form 3S

​4th Nov, 2022

​Objectives

1. ​Define troubleshooting

2. ​Explain the process of elimination

3. ​State solutions for:

​

• ​Computer not powering

• ​​Monitor issues

• ​Printer issues

• ​Sound issues

• ​Beep signals

Open Ended

What would you do if your screen goes blank while using a desktop?

​What is troubleshooting?

​

a systematic process used to locate the cause of a fault in a computer system and correct the relevant hardware and software issues.

Multiple Choice

Troubleshooting is a systematic process

• True 

• False

​Have no fear!

​Whenever you have a problem with your computer, don't panic! There are many basic troubleshooting techniques you can use to fix issues like this.

In this lesson, we'll look at some simple things to try when troubleshooting, as well as how to solve common problems you may encounter.

​If you're having an issue with your computer, you may be able to find out what's wrong using the process of elimination.

​

This means you'll make a list of things that could be causing the problem and then test them out one by one to eliminate them. Once you've identified the source of your computer issue, it will be easier to find a solution.

Poll

Did you understand that?

• Yes

• Kinda

• Can you repeat that please

Open Ended

If your computer or phone doesn't respond what would you do?

​Computer or phone not responding when turned on

1. ​Check power cable in desktop and ensure it is in an electrical outlet

2. ​Ensure the outlet is working

3. ​If a surge protector or power strip is being used, try connecting directly (110 vs 220V)

4. ​If that doesn't work, try another power strip

Poll

Do you know how to set up a printer?

• Yes

• No

• A little

• I've done it before!

​Printer problems

1. ​Ensure the driver is installed on the computer

2. ​Ensure the printer is plugged into a power strip and turned on

3. ​Check to see if the USB cord is connected to the printer

4. ​Check for a paper jam

5. ​Check to ensure the OS and printer are communicating

6. ​Is the printer out of paper?

Multiple Choice

If your laptop isn't working when you turn it on, what should you do?

• Freak out and tell your parents you need a new one

• Plug it in and see if it is receiving charge, inspect the power cable

• Keep slamming the power button until something happens

• Go to purchase a new power cable

More printer problems - printer is not printing

1. ​Ensure no parts are open

2. ​Check to ensure the paper is placed correctly in the printer

3. ​Verify that the correct data cable is being used

4. ​Ensure that the correct printer is selected

5. ​Check for an error message

6. ​If it persists, you may need a technician

Monitor problems

1. Check the monitor power light

2. ​If it is blinking then it may be in power save mode, click the mouse or tap a key.

3. ​Check the cables (data and power)

4. ​Ensure that the outlet is working.

5. ​You might need to get some additional help.

Multiple Choice

If my keyboard is not typing, what should I do first?

• Keep slamming keys until something happens

• Check to ensure it is connected 

• Try another port

• Restart my computer

Open Ended

If an application is frozen, what would you do?

Solution #1

Force quit the application. On a PC, you can press (and hold) Ctrl+Alt+Delete (the Control, Alt, and Delete keys) on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.

On a Mac, press and hold Command+Option+Esc. You can then select the unresponsive application and click End task (or Force Quit on a Mac) to close it.

Solution #2

​

​

Restart the computer. If you are unable to force quit an application, restarting your computer will close all open apps.

​

Tip

​

​

Restarting the computer should be a last resort! This should be done after exhausting ALL other options! ​

Multiple Choice

What about if you're not hearing sound from your external speakers? What should you do first?

• Check the volume on the computer

• Check to see if the speaker is on

• Check to see if the speaker is connected

• Restart the computer

Multiple Choice

What about if you're not hearing sound from your external speakers? What should you do next?

• Check the volume on the computer

• Check to see if the speaker is on

• Check to see if the speaker is connected

• Restart the computer

Multiple Choice

What about if you're not hearing sound from your external speakers? What should you do next?

• Check the volume on the computer

• Check to see if the speaker is on

• Check to see if the speaker is connected

• Restart the computer

Open Ended

You've been watching YouTube videos on your phone for 45 minutes, then suddenly your phone powers off. Give one possible cause.

​Beep sounds

• ​No beep but the system turns on and runs fine - Under normal circumstances, most computer systems will beep one short beep when turned on. If yours doesn’t, your “beeper” may have died out.

• No beep - The power supply is not plugged in or turned on. Or, the power supply is completely dead.

• Steady, short beeps - The power supply may be bad or the voltages might be wrong. A replacement would usually be necessary.

• Steady, long beeps - The power supply has gone bad.

Multiple Choice

Can you remember what no beep from a computer means?

• Computer is off

• RAM problems

• Voltage issues

• Bad power supply

​Beep sounds

• Long, continuous beep - Your Random Access Memory (RAM) sticks may have gone bad.

• One long, two short beeps - There has been a video card failure.

Multiple Select

My wireless mouse is not clicking when I press it, what should I do first? 

• Check to ensure the mouse adapter is plugged in

• Keep clicking until something happens

• Ensure the wireless mouse is on

Multiple Choice

I am not hearing sound from my laptop what should I do first?

• Check the volume on the device

• Ensure the speaker is not disabled

• Ensure the correct speaker is selected on the laptop

• Buy an external speaker

Multiple Choice

You notice that there is a beep every time your computer starts up, what is the problem?

• There is none - this is normal

• RAM 

• Voltage fluctuation

• Video card failure