TLE-ICT

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING

QUARTER 3 – MODULE 5

DIAGNOSING COMPUTER SYSTEM

Prepared by:

GLYNEZ L. PRADO
Teacher III
San Jacinto National High School
 In this self-learning module, you will learn the basic troubleshooting which can help you in
fixing basic computer problems. In this module you will be given a few tips on how you can avoid
some of the most common problems that happen right after your computer is turned on.

DIAGNOSING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

PC Diagnosing
Probably the most frustrating problem computer users run into are startup problems,
where your computer won’t boot. Equally annoying are error messages you constantly run
into during your computer’s startup process.
Here you will learn the basic troubleshooting.
 Trial and error: When you find a faulty component in your computer, check it with the
other computers so that you can make sure whether the fault is in the component or not.
 Check cables: In case of any device failure, check all the cables of your computer such
as data cables, power cable, internal circuitry cables and make sure that all these are
plugged in and working fine.
 Hardware settings: Check the hardware settings in the CMOS (Complementary metal–
oxide–semiconductor) and in the device manager of the system and make all the device
drivers up to date and all the cards are plugged in properly.
 Notice changes: When you notice a software or hardware error in your computer,
determine what was changed before the problem occurred.
 Event viewer: In the event viewer, you will find the error or warning messages associated
with any faulty hardware or software.
 Make notes: Troubleshooting is a big learning option and we can learn a lot when we
face any kind of troubleshooting in our computer. Make notes including the error
messages and their solutions, so that you have a record on how a certain problem
occurred and how did you solve it.

Common PC Problems and solutions

You are working away at your computer when suddenly, up comes an error
message – or worse, your computer comes to a screeching halt. Here are the common
computer problems and solutions that can help you.
Steps
1. Check the POST. POST stands for Power On Self-Test. This is generally the first or
second thing that appears on a computer after turning on the power. This appears before the
operating system begins to load. The POST will display any problems found with hardware
that makes the computer unable to boot, POST may also display problems with hardware
that allow the computer to boot, but not operate at its full capacity during operation.

2. Notice the load time of the OS (operating system). A longer than usual load time
may indicate errors in the hard drive.

3. Notice any graphics problems once the OS has loaded. Reduced graphics may
indicate driver failures or hardware failures with graphic cards.

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 4. Perform an auditory test. An auditory test is an unorthodox, but still effective way of
judging how a computer is working. With the computer on and running, play any decent length
audio file (usually above 30 sec). If the audio is choppy or slow, it usually means that the
processor is working at an elevated level, or there is not enough RAM to run all programs
loading. Changing the startup sound is a great way to apply this test. Another issue
associated with choppy sounds is PIO (Programmed Input/Output) Mode. This affects how
the hard drive reads and writes data from a drive. Switching to Direct Memory Access
(DMA) allows for faster reads and writes, and can sometimes repair choppy audio.

5. Check any newly installed hardware. Many operating systems, especially

Windows, can conflict with new drivers. The driver may be badly written, or it may conflict
with another process. Windows will usually notify you about devices that are causing a
problem, or have a problem. To check this use the Device Manager, this can be accessed
by entering the Control Panel, clicking the System icon, clicking the Hardware tab, and
clicking on Device Manager. Use this to check and arrange the properties of hardware.

6. Check any newly installed software. Software may require more resources than
the system can provide. Chances are that if a problem begins after software starts, the
software is causing it. If the problem appears directly upon startup, it may be caused by
software that starts automatically on boot.

7. Check RAM and CPU consumption. A common problem is a choppy or sluggish

system. If a system is choppy it is good practice to see if a program is consuming more
resources than the computer can provide. An easy way to check this is to use the Task
Manager, right click on the taskbar select Task Manager, and click the Processes tab. The
CPU column contains a number that indicates the percentage of CPU the process is
consuming. The Memory Usage column indicates how much memory a process is
consuming.

8. Listen to the computer, if the hard drive is scratching or making loud noises,
shut off the computer and have a professional diagnose the hard drive. Listen to the
CPU fan, this comes on a high speed when the CPU is working hard and can tell you when
the computer is working beyond its capacity.

9. Run a virus and malware scan. Performance problems can be caused by malware
on the computer. Running a virus scan can unearth any problems. Use a commonly updated
virus scanner (such as Norton Antivirus or Avast! Antivirus)

10. Check for the problem in safe mode. To enter safe mode, tap F8 repeatedly during
POST (this works on most systems). If the problem persists in safe mode, it is a fair bet that
the operating system itself is to blame.

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 I. Directions: Arrange the following steps by labeling the spaces before the number
1-10 to show the correct order in identifying common computer problems and solutions.
______1. Check any newly installed software.
______2. Run a virus and malware scan.
______3. Notice the load time of the OS
______4. Check RAM and CPU consumption.
______5. Perform an auditory test.
______6. Listen to the computer, if the hard drive is scratching or making loud noises
______7. Check the POST
______8. Check for the problem in safe mode
______9. Check any newly installed hardware.
______10. Notice any graphics problems once the OS has loaded

Part I

1. 6
2. 9
3. 2
4. 7
5. 4
6. 8
7. 1
8. 10
9. 5
10. 3

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 I-True or False: Directions: Write T if the statement is True, otherwise write F.

______1. The CPU column contains a number that indicates the percentage of CPU the process is
consuming. The Memory Usage column indicates how much memory a process is
consuming.
______2. A shorter load time may indicate errors in the hard drive.
______3. To enter safe mode, tap F9 repeatedly during POST (this works on most systems).
______4. Performance problems can be caused by malware on the computer. Running a virus scan
can unearth any problems.
______5. An auditory test is an unorthodox, but still ineffective way of judging how a computer is
working.
______6. Increased graphics may indicate driver failures or hardware failures with graphic cards.
______7. An easy way to check the computer of being sluggish is to use the Task Manager, right
click on the taskbar select Task Manager, and click the Menu tab.
______8. The POST is generally the first or second thing that appears on a computer after turning on
the power.
______9. Make notes including the error messages and their solutions, so that you have a record on
how a certain problem occurred and how did you solve it.
______10. If the problem appears directly upon startup, it may be caused by hardware that starts
automatically on boot.

II. PERFORMANCE TASK (10 POINTS)

1. Complete the given table by filling out the column for possible solution to the given common
computer problems.
Computer Problem Possible solution to the problem
hardware that makes the computer
unable to boot
a longer than usual load time
Reduced graphics
the audio is choppy or slow
operating system is conflicting with new
drivers
problem begins after software starts
choppy or sluggish system
hard drive is scratching or making loud
noises
malware on the computer
problem persists in safe mode

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 ANSWER SHEET IN ICT GRADE 9
THIRD QUARTER MODULE 5
NAME: ___________________________________________________ Section: ___________

I. Directions: Arrange the following steps by labeling the spaces before the number1-10 to show
the correct order in identifying common computer problems and solutions.
1. ___________________________ 6. ___________________________
2. ___________________________ 7. ___________________________
3. ___________________________ 8. ___________________________
4. ___________________________ 9. ___________________________
5. ___________________________ 10. __________________________

I. True or False: Directions: Write T if the statement is True, otherwise write F.

1. ___________________________ 6. ___________________________
2. ___________________________ 7. ___________________________
3. ___________________________ 8. ___________________________
4. ___________________________ 9. ___________________________
5. ___________________________ 10. __________________________

II. PERFORMANCE TASK (10 POINTS)

1. Complete the given table by filling out the column for possible solution to the given common
computer problems.

Computer Problem Possible solution to the problem

hardware that makes the computer

unable to boot

a longer than usual load time

Reduced graphics

the audio is choppy or slow

operating system is conflicting with new

drivers

problem begins after software starts

choppy or sluggish system

hard drive is scratching or making loud

noises

malware on the computer

problem persists in safe mode