Fatima's Troubleshooting by Fatima Barajas

Processor

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:21:09 UTC

The part in the motherboard that does the thinking of the computer

Processor Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:39:44 UTC

We have to eliminate thermal checks. If there is a thermal problem make sure that the fan is working, the heat sink is not broken, and thermal material is in place.

Processor Troubleshooting Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:46:57 UTC

We have to check beep codes. If the computer beeps that means that the processor is not the source of the problem, and if it has a 2nd processor make sure that, that one is working also.

Memory

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:50:13 UTC

The thing in a motherboard that stores all the files in the computer

Memory Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:52:01 UTC

Make sure that the memory module is seated correctly on the motherboard and that it is correctly plugged in.

Memory Troubleshooting Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-12 12:54:02 UTC

If there is more then one memory module remove

Hard Drive

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-13 12:36:53 UTC

A part of the Computer that saves all the

Hard Drive Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:13:11 UTC

Run the hard drive self-test from ePSA.
Running the hard drive self-test is 90% effective and takes less than 7 minutes regardless of the size of the hard drive.
This will help in avoiding unnecessary replacement and repeat dispatch.

Hard Drive Troubleshooting Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:15:20 UTC

Turn on the system and press key for entering into BIOS.
Using the down arrow key navigate to hard drive field.
If hard drive is not detected, shut down the system and reseat hard drive connector.
If hard drive is detected, restart the system and run ePSA, (follow the steps A through E to run ePSA).

Overheat

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:17:18 UTC

The CPU starts to overheat and can later cause damage to it

Overheating Troubleshooting step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:18:19 UTC

Clean the clogged parts by blowing air directly into the fan exhaust port (either by blowing with mouth or using compressed canned air).
The air must be sent directly into the heat sink vents. This is always on the sides or back of the machine.
Limit the duration of compressed air (short 2-3 second intervals) to avoid excessive spooling (RPM) of the fan
If you cannot get compressed air into the exhaust port, place a vacuum hose on the intake port to extract the debris from the bottom of the system.

Overheating Troubleshooting Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:19:27 UTC

Between CPU and heat sink, ensure thermal grease or a thermal pad is in place.

Between the heat sink and the graphic processor unit (GPU) - Portables only, ensure colored pads are in place.

Applying Thermal

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:24:26 UTC

Dell supplies thermal grease and an alcohol swipe in service kits.
Use the alcohol swipe to clean the old material from the surface of processor and heat sink. You may need to use a plastic scribe to remove hardened thermal material.
Use the syringe to apply thermal grease in a swirl pattern. (As shown in tne picture)

Applying Thermal Paste

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:27:34 UTC

The thermal pad is located inside the white envelope. A cleaning pad is usually shipped with the thermal pad; however, you can also use isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth.
Using a cleaning pad, clean all debris from the surface of heat sink and processor.
Carefully pull the top film liner at a 45-degree angle until it is fully removed.
Remove second liner also completely. One side of the thermal pad is now completely exposed.
Place the exposed side onto the processor and apply even pressure across the pad.
Remove the remaining two liners and then assemble the heat sink to the processor.

Power Supply Unit

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:34:19 UTC

Power Supply Unit Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:36:05 UTC

Green and Blue color indicates adapter is working fine.
If LED is off, reseat the connectors on the power adapter and the system and swap power cord with known good power adapter if possible.

Power Supply Unit Troubleshooting Steps 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:37:31 UTC

If reseating the connection does not fix the issue, try resetting the power adapter.

Unplug adapter power cord from the wall outlet and from the system.
Keep it ideal for about 2 minutes so it will reset.
Reconnect adapter to the system and to the wall outlet.
If the LED is not glowing, may be adapter is faulty and further troubleshooting

If adapter works fine after reseating

Isolate the power adapter issue by removing internal connectors, power connectors, or the cable harness to identify whether any of these components are causing this issue.
Continue troubleshooting by reconnecting devices one at a time to identify the failed component (like hard drive, optical disk drive, daughter boards etc.).

System Board

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:41:16 UTC

The System Board is another name for the mother board which powers everything that the computer needs to run .

System Board Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:42:08 UTC

Easiest way to verify the functionality of system board is by removing the memory module. If 4 beeps are not heard while turning on the system then the system board is faulty.

System Board

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-16 12:48:07 UTC

System board issues can be identified with the help of various indicators like diagnostics LEDs, power button LEDs and beep codes.

No Boot after System Board Replacement

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:09:38 UTC

When the computer will not boot up after the motherboard has been replaced in the laptop.

Main Causes

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:10:37 UTC

BOOT MODE and SATA Operation options in the System BIOS are the primary reasons for a No Boot issue after system board replacement, provided there is no hardware failure with System Board and Hard Drive.

If the technician can access BIOS before parts replacement, it is advisable to note down current setting in BIOS on a piece of paper PRIOR to replacement. (Highly Recommended).
If the system is not functioning before System Board replacement and the technician cannot access the BIOS and retrieve the settings from the Original System Board, perform the steps provided in to following pages.

No Boot after System Board Replacement Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:18:46 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)
Boot Mode – Legacy
Secure Boot – Disabled
Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

No Boot after System Board Replacement Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:24:18 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)
Boot Mode – UEFI
Secure Boot – Enabled (Change it to Disabled if it does not boot)
Legacy ROM – Enabled
Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

No Boot after System Board Replacement Troubleshooting Step 3

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:29:59 UTC

SATA Operations – AHCI (RAID ON if system has a RAID CARD or if RAID is configured on the system)
Boot Mode – UEFI
Secure Boot – Off
Legacy ROM – Enabled
Boot Sequence – Set the Hard Drive (with the Operating System installed) as the Fist Boot Device

LCD Display

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:32:19 UTC

The LCD Display is the screen on a laptop which shows us what we are doing through millions of little pixels

LCD Display Troubleshooting Step 1

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:32:47 UTC

Verify the external power source or wall socket.
Verify the intermediary or connecting devices such as extension cords or surge suppressors.
Swap the power cord/adapter and video input cable

LCD Display Troubleshooting Step 2

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:33:42 UTC

Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove all video cables from the back of computer.
Turn on the monitor. The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains blue. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialog boxes shown below will continuously scroll through the screen.
This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

LCD Display Troubleshooting Step 3

fatimasaharan1 — 2017-10-18 12:39:31 UTC

For those monitors that support built-in diagnostics, check the respective monitors troubleshooting section for detailed instruction for launching the built-in diagnostics.
Dell UZ2x15H series Flat panel monitor is used here as an example

Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).
Unplug the video cable(s) from the back of the computer or monitor. The monitor then goes into the self-test mode.
Press and hold Button 3 and Button 6 on the front panel simultaneously for 2 seconds. A gray screen appears.
Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.
Press Button 3 on the front panel again. The color of the screen changes to red.
Inspect the display for any abnormalities.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white and text screens.
The test is complete when the text screen appears. To exit, press Button 3 again.