TVL – Computer Systems Servicing 11

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________

Grade: ______________________________________ Section: ___________________

⮚ Topic Diagnosing Computer Systems and Networks

⮚ Objective: Apply basic troubleshooting techniques in fixing computer systems errors.

Let Us Discover

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. 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.

Here you will learn basic troubleshooting.

1. 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.
2. Check cables: In case of any device failure, check all the cables of your computer such as data
cables, power cables, internal circuitry cables, and make sure that all these are plugged in and
working fine.
3. Hardware settings: Check the hardware settings in the CMOS and the device manager of the
system and make all the device drivers up to date and all the cards are plugged in properly.
4. Notice changes: When you notice a software or hardware error in your computer, determine
what was changed before the problem occurred.
5. Event viewer: In the event viewer, you will find the error or warning messages associated with
any faulty hardware or software.
6. Make notes: Troubleshooting is a big learning option and we can learn a lot when we face any
kind of troubleshooting on our computer. Make notes including the error messages and their
solutions, so that you have a record of 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.

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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.
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 the 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 at 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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Common Troubleshooting for Computer Units
1. Double-check the power connections.
2. Voltage Regulator and power supply could cause power failure in
the computer unit.
3. Check the power cords and cable connectors in your computer
unit.
4. Unseated card. Loose cards could cause malfunction.
5. Check the boot sequence configuration in the advance BIOS
(Basic Input /Output Unit) setup.

Diagnosing Network Connection

Things to look for if a PC is connected to the internet or network:
● First, check the cable connecting to the network card into the
network hub.
● Check the back of the computer to see if the network card
light is on.
● Check the network cable ( use cable tester)
● Check the network HUB (use multi-tester)

Sample Diagnostic Plan by listing down all possible components to be checked based on the
symptoms as depicted in the table below.

Symptoms: Dead Computer Monitor

Possible components to be checked Good Defective Remedy
AC Outlet
Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
AVR Fuse
Monitor Power Cable
Monitor Switch
Power Supply

Let Us Try

Activity 1. Test Me!

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.
1. When you find a faulty component in your computer, you check it with the other computers so that
you can make sure whether the fault is in the component or not. Which troubleshooting method
you are using?
a. Hardware Settings b. Trial and Error c. Notice Changes d. Make Notes
2. Which of the following refers to a method of testing a computer hardware device or software
program to ensure it is working as it should be?
a. Hardware Troubleshooting c. PC Diagnosing
b. Software Troubleshooting d. Error Checker
3. Which troubleshooting method uses Device Manager to check if all the device drivers are up to
date and all the cards are plugged in properly?
a. Trial and Error c. Event Viewer
b. Hardware Settings d. Make Notes

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4. An auditory test is an unorthodox, but still effective way of judging how a computer is working. What
does it mean if the audio is choppy or slow?
a. The motherboard is defective.
b. The speaker is not connected properly.
c. The Windows Operating System is corrupted.
d. There is not enough RAM to run all programs loading.
5. What does the Power-On Self-Test (POST) provide in solving the PC problems?
a. It boosts the performance of the computer system.
b. It helps drive the operating system to control and operate the peripheral devices.
c. It generates a long beep sound during the loading of the Windows Operating System.
d. It displays any problems found with hardware that makes the computer unable to boot.

Let Us Do

Activity 2. Essay Writing

Situation: Let's say you're trying to print out invitations for a birthday party but the printer won't function,
what should you do to fix the problem? List down the steps in troubleshooting the printer.

Let Us Apply

Activity 3. Making Diagnostic Plan

Directions: Develop a diagnostic plan depicted on the table. List down all possible components to be
checked based on the symptom. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.

Symptoms: No Sound Output

Possible components to be checked Good Defective Remedy

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 Rubrics

Criteria for the Activity 2

The performance of the learner will be rated based on the following criteria:
Contents Excellent (4) Very Satisfactory (3) Satisfactory (2)
Substantial, specific, and/or
Sufficiently developed
illustrative content Limited content with
Content content with adequate
demonstrating strong inadequate elaboration
Knowledge elaboration or
development and or explanation.
explanation.
sophisticated ideas.
1-3 misspelled 4 or more misspelled
Spelling No misspelled word.
Words. Words.
Follows correct
4 or more capitalization
Capitalization capitalization (pronouns, 1-3 capitalization errors.
errors.
sentences)
Applies punctuations 1-3 incorrect use of 4 or more incorrect use
Punctuation
correctly. punctuations. of punctuations.
1-3 words can’t be read 4 or more words can’t
Handwriting Legible.
clearly. be read clearly.

Criteria for the Activity 3

The performance of the learner will be rated based on the following criteria:
Criteria Excellent (5) Very Satisfactory (4) Satisfactory (3)
Substantial, specific,
Sufficiently developed
and/or illustrative content Limited content with
Content content with adequate
demonstrating strong inadequate elaboration
Knowledge elaboration or
development and or explanation.
explanation.
sophisticated ideas.
The information is broken The information is broken The organizational
down into a block-by-block down into a block-by- pattern is not
structure. It follows a block structure, but may identifiable. Some
Organization
consistent order when not follow a consistent details are not in a
and Structure
discussing the order when discussing logical or expected
comparison. the comparison. order, and this distracts
the reader.
No error in grammar 1-3 errors in grammar 4 or more errors in
and/or spelling that and/or spelling that grammar and/or
Grammar and
distracts the reader from distracts the reader from spelling distract the
Spelling
the content. the content. reader from the
content.

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GSC-CID-LRMS-ESSLM, v.r. 02.00, Effective April 21, 2021