All Topics > Computer Hardware > Troubleshooting Computer Hardware Problems >

Troubleshooting Computer Hardware Problems Illinois

A guide to troubelshooting computer hardware problems.

Local Companies

Home PC Repair
630-378-0604
6547 W 34th St
Berwyn, IL

Fidelity On Call
(309) 691-1500
9006 N Industrial Rd
Peoria, IL

SG Consulting
(217) 806-0547
1126 Cleary Ave.
Danville, IL

Express Personnel Services
(309) 682-2888
4111 N Prospect Rd Ste 3
Peoria, IL

Kelly Services
(309) 681-8540
3718 N Prospect Rd
Peoria, IL

TEKS COMPUTER SERVICE
(773) 615-1907
4120 N ASHLAND
CHICAGO, IL

Facet Computers
(309) 353-4727
2103 Court Street
Pekin, IL

Labor Ready
(309) 676-6244
508 E War Memorial Dr
Peoria, IL

Morotech Computer Repair
877-222-8598
2506 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL

Lanatarium Lan Gaming Center
309 688-2667
2502 N Knoxville Ave
Peoria, IL

Adapted From: Troubleshooting Your PC For Dummies, 3rd Edition

If your computer is acting up, the first things to check when you suspect hardware problems are the connections, cables, and whatnot that link all the various pieces and parts of your computer:

Is everything properly plugged in and receiving power? (Are the power strip on-off switches in the On position, for example?)

Are cables snuggly plugged into their sockets?

Are cables snuggly plugged into the proper sockets? (The Line In and Microphone jacks look identical on every computer, but there is a difference!)

Are both ends of the cable connected?

Listen!

Is the computer making noise? All computers have internal fans designed to regulate the temperature inside the box. If the fan goes, the computer gets too hot and fails.

Do you hear the fan? Poke your head around the back to see whether the fan is spinning, just to be sure. If not, you have hardware trouble.

Not all personal computers have a fan. The Apple iMac computer comes without a fan, and some older microcomputers and laptops come without internal fans.

Some PCs can get hot even with their fans spinning. For such systems, you can get fan "upgrades" by adding a second fan to the PC's case.

Laptops have internal fans, but they still run notoriously hot. To help keep your laptop cool, consider an external cooling pad. The pad contains several fans, and you set your laptop atop the thing. The result is a cooler-running and much happier laptop.

Sometimes, the fan is integrated into the power supply. In that case, you need to buy a new power supply to replace the fan.

Touch!

Is the computer hot? Electronics do get hot, but they're designed to dissipate the heat. Heat is a Bad Thing for electronics. It causes errors. In fact, your computer manual probably has a "recommended operating temperature" guide somewhere — maybe even on the console's back panel.

If the computer is hot, turn it off. Get it fixed.

Check a peripheral's power brick to see whether it gets too hot. Power bricks (more properly, transformers) get warm but should never be hot. If they're hot, they need to be replaced.

Check the monitor

To do a quick check of the monitor, first ensure that it's properly connected and turned on: A monitor plugs into both a power source and the computer. A CRT, or "glass," monitor plugs directly into a socket. An LCD monitor typically plugs into a power brick (transformer) and then into the wall socket.

The monitor may look dead, but the brightness may just be turned down all the way. Fiddle with the knobs to try to get a reaction.

Modern monitors are quite smart. If yours doesn't receive a signal from the computer, it displays a message telling you so. It says No input or No signal or something equally cryptic or obtuse, but conveys the general meaning of "I'm not connected to anything sending me a signal."

Some monitors have more than one input. You might see an A-B switch for viewing output from more than one source. Some high-end monitors have both VGA and BNC connectors for the signal, plus corresponding buttons on the panel to choose either input.

It's quite common for the power light on a monitor to turn green when the monitor is up and running. When the monitor isn't receiving a signal, the light turns yellow or flashes.

The light also turns yellow when the computer is in Sleep, Stand By, or Hibernate mode.

Tap the Ctrl or Enter key on the keyboard to see if the computer is just sleeping and has shut down the monitor.

On some computers, you have to punch the Power/Sleep button to wake it up.

provided by:

For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.

Featured Local Company

Home PC Repair

630-378-0604
6547 W 34th St
Berwyn, IL
www.homepcrepair.net

Read more about Troubleshooting Computer Hardware Problems

- Check Up Services for PCs Illinois

Do you daily have a combat with nagging PC errors and issues? Or is your computer experiencing a downfall? If yes, there is no doubt that it needs a complete health check up. When you fall ill, you visit a doctor.

- NZXT Sentry LX Fan Controller Illinois
- Guides For Buying Printers Illinois
- Buying Versus Building a Computer Illinois
- Finding Your Laptop's IP Address Illinois
- Printer Techniques Illinois
- Fixing Frozen Computer Problems Illinois
- Computer Repair Illinois
- Increasing Computer Boot Up Speed Illinois
- Troubleshooting for Laptops Illinois

Regional Articles

- NZXT Sentry LX Fan Controller Illinois

Need a bit more control of your case cooling? Or perhaps you just want more bling? Read this review of the NZXT Sentry dual bay fan controller and see if it will fit your hardware needs.

- Check Up Services for PCs Illinois
- Buying Versus Building a Computer Illinois
- Finding Your Laptop's IP Address Illinois
- Guides For Buying Printers Illinois
- Troubleshooting for Laptops Illinois
- Fixing Frozen Computer Problems Illinois
- Computer Repair Illinois
- Increasing Computer Boot Up Speed Illinois
- Printer Techniques Illinois

Related Local Events

BIO - International Convention and Exhibition for Biotechnology
Dates: 5/2/2010 - 5/5/2010
Location: McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
View Details

PTXi - Process Technology Expo International
Dates: 5/4/2010 - 5/6/2010
Location: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
View Details

The 22nd Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo
Dates: 9/30/2009 - 10/2/2009
Location: Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
View Details

Business & Technology Solutions Show
Dates: 8/25/2009 - 8/26/2009
Location: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Des Plaines, IL
View Details

Business & Technology Solutions Show
Dates: 8/25/2009 - 8/26/2009
Location: Donald E Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History