Solve problems with the computer yourself. Unclear computer problems

Many of us have repeatedly encountered problems that arose with our computers. There is nothing surprising in the fact that people begin to get very annoyed when their favorite equipment starts to junk. Unfortunately, far from computer users understand that it is not computers that are primarily to blame for these problems, but the users themselves. Lack of antivirus or firewall, or its not timely updating, installation of potentially unsafe programs that are embedded in system processes, surfing on suspicious sites, and just careless attitude to the computer, all these actions lead to deterioration of the computer. Of course, a computer does not have a soul or inner world, unlike a person, but, nevertheless, this does not mean that he cannot "get sick". So, let's take a look at the most common errors and malfunctions in computers, as well as methods for solving them.

Very slow computer... One of the most widespread computer problems ... The main reasons for this problem may be: too many programs running simultaneously, not enough RAM or too weak processor, viruses on the computer, errors in the operating system registry, the hard disk is full. The solution to this problem can be the following actions: Increase computer performance by installing more modern components. Complete computer scan for viruses, removal unnecessary files, optimization of the system using special programs, or an extreme measure, reinstalling the OS.

Complete computer freeze... Reasons: the absence of some performing Windows files, numerous computer viruses, overloaded registry, memory corruption. Solutions: full check computer for viruses with modern antivirus, optimization of the system with special programs, restoration or reinstallation of the entire system, replacement of RAM.

The computer restarts spontaneously... Reasons: presence a large number spyware and virus programs or a malfunction in the cooling system or the power supply of the computer. Solutions: checking your computer for viruses... Complete analysis of all elements of the system unit. Perhaps the cooling of the processor or video card is faulty, or a complete analysis, and possibly replacement, of the power supply is required. An option is possible, such as the serviceability of the power supply, but it does not have too much high power for computer.

The computer does not turn on at all... Reasons: damage to the power cable, malfunction of the power supply. Solutions: replacing the old cable with a new one. Checking the power supply on another computer, if it is inoperative, replacing it with a new power supply.

Regular time failure in the computer... Cause: villages CMOS battery located on motherboard... Solution:, newer.

The browser is constantly changing start pages, bookmarks, passwords... Reasons: the obvious presence of spyware or virus programs on the computer. Solutions: scanning the computer for viruses, possibly a complete reinstalling the operating system.

With a dual-up Internet connection, huge phone bills, with outgoing calls to countries to which calls were not made. Reasons: presence on the computer spyware (dialer program). Solution: urgent reinstallation of the operating system with full formatting everything hard disk (antivirus programs in in this case are ineffective).

Poor gaming performance enough powerful computer... Reason: the exposed amount of virtual memory is too small. Solution: increasing the amount of virtual memory up to any required size, but at the expense of free space on the system partition of the hard disk.

No sound from the computer, poor quality Images. Reason: it may have previously been reinstalled operating system... Solution: installation of all necessary drivers.

Internet does not work... Solution: check all network cables, check if the IP address is blocked, check your computer for viruses, check condition personal account ... Try to connect to the Internet later, it is possible that the problems are not with the computer, but on the side of the provider.

Computer speaker makes sounds regularly... Problem: the video card, processor, RAM, hard disk, sound card, or other components of the system unit are faulty or incorrectly connected, the monitor may not be connected to the video adapter. Solution: checking all computer components on the correctness of the connections, if the problem is not solved, look for a faulty component for its subsequent replacement.

So, we have considered the most common problems that ordinary users may encounter when working at their home computer. Of course, basic knowledge of a computer, as well as the help of the Internet, can help solve most of these problems, however, there are some problems that it may not be entirely correct to solve on your own, since it is easy to cause the opposite effect and, as a result, only aggravate the situation. In such cases, it is best to call a specialist, which will be able to perform a thorough diagnosis of the computer and solve the problem.

22/08/2015 12:13

The most common problem for any user is a slow computer. But if the power was not enough initially, this is one thing. But what if suddenly in the process of work the programs began to freeze and slow down? How to understand what exactly causes such an unpleasant effect?
In fact, there are many reasons why the system works slower. Let's look at the most common and methods of dealing with them at home. Let's first list these problems and then try to figure out how to deal with them.

So the slowdown can be caused by:

Of course, not all possible causes of system slowdown are listed here. True, the rest of the options are relatively rare and are known only to specialists. But first you need to understand the points above. In a 98% probability, this will return the former agility of the higher system.

Virus attack

Problem

This is one of the most common and most dangerous reasons for a decrease in the speed of the system. Even the latest modern antivirus programs do not always cope with it.
The existence of viruses can be indicated by indirect signs, such as:

• system freeze during operation;
• pop-up error messages;
• the appearance of intrusive advertising when working on the Internet;
• the time it takes to turn on the computer increases;
• some programs do not open or have stopped starting;
• the task manager stopped opening by combination;
• the dispatcher shows the increased (up to 100%) processor load when the applications are turned off.

Solution

If an infection is suspected, a number of safety-related procedures should be taken:

• update the anti-virus databases (if installed);
• check for viruses to others antivirus application or a scanner;
• download and install latest version scanner (). If, after scanning, an indication of the presence of malware, scanners, trojans, etc. appears, select Treatment / Removal.
• If the antivirus is not installed, you can download the latest version.
• Connect the firewall (aka firewall) built into the OS. Configure it so that it allows only certain predefined programs (browsers) to access the network. And for any others network connection was limited. A combination of a firewall and antivirus software gives good protection against most attacks.

Most often, viruses, scanners and other and malware posted on adult sites. When visiting them, try to be more attentive to what you click on the mouse. Do not download updates on such sites, in particular, most often viruses hide under the offer "update flash player".

System disk full

Problem

Drive C: \, or system disk, suddenly turns out to be so full that it completely does not remain free space... As a result, there is no free space even for service files that ensure the operation of the system. Unfortunately, this situation happens quite often. As a result, the system is forced to spend a lot of time, freeing up the necessary space in tiny portions and processing these "pieces" in turn.

This problem occurs when wrong setting the update mode and save points (backups) of the system itself, when there is not enough space for the C: \ drive, when unnecessary temporary files are untimely deleted, and so on. If there is no disk space left, the system starts to slow down very significantly.

Solution

• remove unnecessary programs;
• clear the desktop (its data is also stored on the C: \ drive);
• Empty trash;
• delete temporary files... Best of all, with a program;

Overheating braking

Problem

This problem is not only common, but also a significant hazard. The computer can not only stop, but also fail altogether. And at the same time, you risk losing all the information that it contains.

Determining that overheating is to blame is quite simple. If at the beginning of the day everything works fast and flies, but at startup additional programs or games in the middle of the day suddenly starts to reboot or slow down, then most likely (by 95%) we are talking about overheating.

Solution

Signal about overheating of the hard disk, video card, chipset or processor will help special programs... You can download and install them for free (this, for example,);

It is necessary to open the system unit, and use a vacuum cleaner (or a brush) to clean it from dust. Dust creates an excellent insulating cushion on heat exchangers and can even damage CPU and video card fans (coolers). And the deteriorated heat exchange causes overheating and disruption of the system elements;

Once every couple of years, it is worth updating the thermal paste, which is laid to ensure better thermal exchange between active (heating) elements and cooling radiators. This is especially true if the sensors show a regular increase in the temperature of a video card, chipset or processor.

Hard drive problems

Problem

Sadly, but hard drives computers have their own lifespan and their resource eventually turns out to be exhausted. It is about limited life cycle disk.

The speed of the system to a large extent (by about 70%) depends on the calls to the hard drive. You can build a system from a 2-core processor with good performance, several gigabytes of RAM, and a good video card. But having saved on the hard drive, we get a slowdown of all this gorgeous hardware.

The point is in the principle of the hard drive. A hard disk is mechanically a multi-layer "sandwich" of thin layers, each of which is programmatically divided into sectors. When making a request for information posted in a specific sector, the controller requires a response. And if there is no answer, the sector is placed in memory as inoperative (broken). Gradually, in the course of work, the number of such sectors accumulates.

Solution

You can also solve this problem. To do this, you need to periodically carry out the following work:

• you should defragment your disks monthly;
• if suspicions creep in that the hard drive has started to work worse, use a special tool to check and restore it (for example, with help);
• try not to expose the hard drive physical impact, especially during work. Do not knock on the system unit or table when the laptop is on it.
• When cleaning the computer from dust, clean the hard drive, it can also overheat.

Not enough RAM

Problem

Sometimes the reason for the slowdown of programs or games is trivial - the system simply does not have enough memory at its disposal. New programs often require more resources that the old computer cannot provide.

To see how much memory is used up, it is best to enter the task manager (ctr + alt + del) and examine the Processes and Performance tabs

Solution

There is only one solution to the problem - to increase the amount of memory. Alas, this is not always easy to do. Especially for an old computer that has been discontinued. And the line of memory of the old model (DDR) costs much more than the new one.

And if you want to install more modern memory, you will have to change both the motherboard and the processor. And along with the video card. Therefore, such a repair is tantamount to buying a new computer.

One more solution can be advised - take a close look at the processes that take up memory. Among them, you can find non-urgent, useless and even harmful (for example, the same viruses).

Low-power processor

Problem

The problem is very similar to the previous one. There is simply not enough processor power to complete tasks. This most often manifests itself when working on the Internet (browser) or when watching a video in high resolution.

To estimate the processor load, you should also call the task manager (" ctr + alt + del") And evaluate the" Processes "and" Performance "tabs.

Solution

Unfortunately, there is only one solution - to purchase and install a more powerful processor.

Many programs are running at startup

Problem

During work, you often have to install various programs. But at the same time, not everyone pays attention to the fact that when installing programs there are checkboxes that set them to startup. And that they turn on automatically when the computer starts up.

This is not always bad, but if you carelessly, it can cause certain difficulties, since each of the programs diverts a part of the system's capacity to itself.

An ordinary user rarely looks into the configuration of the startup file in order to remove programs from there that are not needed in their work all the time and every day. But in vain. With the help of such a simple action, you can significantly (several times) reduce the boot time of your computer and increase the speed of the system.

Solution

Open the "System Configuration" section, find the "Startup" tab and simply uncheck the boxes for programs that are not vital.

If you have any difficulty entering this section, just click " Start" and " Execute"(Windows 7 or XP), and in the" Find programs and files "field, enter the name msconfig and click" OK ".

Often as unnecessary applications are office, Java, winamp, messengers of various types etc.

The registry is full of garbage

Problem

For regular user the registry is the most mysterious and least explored area of ​​the system. In fact, the parameters of all installed applications are registered there. And in the case of them wrong deletion, the entries about these applications in the registry remain.

Although the volume of such records is small in itself, the system each time accesses the registry, and the time of such a call (especially if it does not find the programs specified there) turns out to be indecently delayed.

Solution

You need to clear the registry with special utility... For example, . Doing it manually is not worth it.

Slowdown when working with the browser

Problem

This problem often occurs when several (or several dozen) tabs are launched simultaneously in the browser - for example, in search mode. Or when viewing HD video files over a network.

It should also be borne in mind that each such tab launches a separate process that takes away part of the processor's power and the amount of RAM.

Solution

If your computer slows down while working on the network, open the task manager. Pay attention to which of the processes requires the most system resources. It may turn out that this is some kind of hanging script or launched by browser Appendix.

Also, a freeze when working with a browser can be caused by a cache overflow. It also needs to be cleaned periodically.

If braking is caused by watching a video High Quality, then this may be due to the low performance of the processor. In this case, only its replacement will save.

Outcomes

As you can see, there can be many reasons for the computer slowdown. The following recommendations will help in most cases, but if all else fails, contact the workshop, and qualified technicians will help to cope with any problem.

If you are a sysadmin or software engineer in a small organization, and you have constant problems with computers, and even with users who constantly shout that nothing works for them, then this material is for you. Why a small organization, but because there is enough large companies there are a staff of employees who follow this and all the tips that will be given in this article, they follow or, according to at least trying to execute. And they do not have frequent problems with computers or users.

Let's start with the fact that, for example, you work in an organization with 50 or 100 computers, and something constantly does not work for you, freezes, you constantly have to reinstall the operating system, run to the user several times a day to fix his problems. This is very annoying for you, so I’ll say right away that this is your fault, first of all yours. "Why mine?" You ask, "They themselves have done something and therefore their computer freezes or some software does not work"... Yes, because you did not foresee this and did not secure your fleet of cars from this.

If you often hear the following from a user, then you definitely need to read the article to the end.

• My program is stuck;
• My computer is frozen;
• I have some kind of blue screen;
• My file is missing, I can't find it;
• I clicked something in Excel and all the data disappeared;
• The program does not open for me, although it did open yesterday;
• My computer is crazy;
• I didn’t do anything and the data in the file changed;
• My computer slows down very much;
• The computer does not turn on;
• Help me with Excel (Word), otherwise I don't know, well, remember how yesterday.

Frequent errors of system administrators

We will now consider frequent mistakes sysadmins, and what needs to be done in order to prevent these errors. I myself came across this, since I worked in such an organization, so everything that I will describe below can be said to be based on own experience... And almost all of this relates to the rules information security that everyone must comply with, and your attitude towards work. And for some points it is necessary to make special document, signed by the chief, which will indicate what the user can do and what not, and everyone should familiarize themselves with this document.

Installing various software

In other words, both you and the users can set this software that you just don't need! Therefore, the first thing to do is remove all software that is not part of the manufacturing process. And do not allow it to be installed.

In order to completely clean the computer of such software, it is best to reinstall the system and install only the minimum set of programs on it, which is necessary for this or that employee individually. Of course, so that all this software is licensed, if you use some programs without a license, but you need them, then you need to voice this to the boss so that he can allocate funds for the purchase of this software. And prohibit the user from installing programs himself, already at the level of access rights.

This also includes the installation of drivers, which are not clear from where they are downloaded. Since you can download only from official sites.

Viruses, Internet and Personal Files

I have combined these 3 points because they are interrelated. Frequent problems arise from viruses! Since users in such organizations often have unlimited access to the Internet, they bring their personal files on flash drives that are infected with viruses, and so on. This must not be allowed!

It is necessary to deny everyone access to the Internet, and allow access only to those resources that are required in production process Fortunately, this is done easily with the help of routers, firewalls and other equipment. Also, prohibit the use of flash drives, it is better to disable this feature on users' computers altogether, and transfer files via the network from a computer on which the antivirus is installed, and you personally checked this flash drive, this is in the event that the organization is document flow with other organizations using flash drives. If you fulfill this item, then you don't even need a corporate antivirus.

Unlimited access

What I mean here is that users have unlimited access to almost all computers in your organization. I wouldn't be surprised if a simple user visits rdp client to the server and accidentally delete something from it. Or he will simply go to the admin's office, calmly sit down at the server and turn it off :).

In order to prevent this, it is necessary to draw up a clear scheme for dividing access rights. For example, you most likely have some kind of file server that stores user work files, which is used both for storing and exchanging information within the organization. But more often than not, it's just a jumbled collection of folders and files that absolutely everyone has access to. This must not be allowed! Must be created for each user separate folder, to which only he will have access. In order to transfer some files to another employee of the organization, you can make one folder to which everyone will have access, and, if necessary, simply copy the necessary data to this folder, and thus in the case of deleting all content from of this directory, nothing bad will happen.

You also need to create a password-protected account for each user ( complex password ), and which must be kept secret. The best way to accomplish this advice is to use the service Active directories Directory Microsoft... If you are not using it yet, I advise you to switch to it, as it will greatly facilitate the management and administration of computers in your organization. When you create your account for each user, you can easily assign him all the necessary access rights to a particular resource. I will not talk about all the delights of AD, since the topic of this article is completely different, but I strongly recommend using it.

This also includes the user's access to the computer using an account. Since in organizations, for example, everyone has access to a neighbor's computer, this should not be allowed either. For example, an employee went to the toilet, another person sat down at his computer and did something there. The user to whom this computer is assigned comes and sees that something does not work for him, is frozen or cannot find any file, the testament, respectively, of you. You tell him "What did you do?" in response he "I didn’t do anything by myself"... To prevent this, it is necessary, as I said, to create an account for each user and teach users to block it in the event of separation from the computer, and thus a person who wants to sit at the computer in the absence of a responsible employee cannot do this. and if he needs it, then let him load his account... This can also be done forcibly, for example, set the OS settings so that the system locks up in case of inactivity, say, after 10 minutes.

I would also like to add that you need to restrict access not only to files, directories or computers, but also to any other resources in your organization ( servers, hardware, etc.), or rather not even restrict, but allow access only to those resources that are needed by a particular employee. In other words, by default, the user is denied everything, and what you need you will allow him. By the way, by doing so, you will fulfill point 1, prohibiting him from installing third-party software. Maintaining a clear scheme for the differentiation of access rights is an integral part of the organization's information security.

Static IP addressing

Quite often found in small offices, but problems still arise from it. If you think that DHCP is not needed for 50 computers, then you are mistaken. Someday you will encounter one of the most common problems when using static IP addressing - this is " conflict ip addresses ", because sooner or later you will simply forget where and what ip-ki you registered. Therefore, to eliminate another potential cause "Supposedly" idle computer, it is better to use dynamic ip addressing.

Old equipment or lack thereof

Here for the most part Organizing time... Many admins simply turn a blind eye to the fact that they have, say, a couple of users working on very old computers that you have already tried to upgrade repeatedly using old components. As a consequence, a bunch of "Blue screens of death"... Or you need to purchase additional server, to unload the existing one, and you simply remain silent, although it is your direct responsibility to monitor the update, the acquisition of new equipment. This is absolutely not correct! You tell "what can I do?"... You can find 1000 and one reasons to convince your boss of the need of this equipment, for example, a new computer for some employee. And even if your boss is too greedy, after a couple, three attempts to correctly justify this purchase, he will give you money to purchase the necessary equipment.

Your laziness

You have not wondered why you are often asked to help with a problem that has repeatedly been repeated by this or that user. The answer is one "You have not eliminated the reason, you have temporarily solved it!". This advice comes down to "The concept of the essence of the problem" and removing it forever.

For example, there is one user who every day asks you to unload a frozen program or pull out the jammed paper from the printer, of course you help him, but you don’t solve the problem, since it will repeat itself in a couple of hours or the next day. In this case, it is necessary to understand why this is happening and eliminate at the root the very reason for the appearance of such an error. Or, for example, the user's computer periodically does not turn on, it is necessary to clearly understand why and solve this problem, if you cannot determine the reason why the computer does not start, then here are the common

Many PC owners face various errors and malfunctions of their computer, but cannot determine the cause of the problem. In this article, we will look at the main methods of diagnosing a computer, allowing you to independently identify and fix various problems.

Please note that high-quality computer diagnostics can take a whole day, allocate it in the morning especially for this, and do not start closer to the evening.

I warn you that I will write in detail as for beginners who have never disassembled a computer, in order to warn about all possible nuances that can lead to problems.

1. Disassembling and cleaning the computer

When disassembling and cleaning your computer, take your time, do everything carefully so as not to damage anything. Store the components in a safe place prepared in advance.

It is not advisable to start diagnostics before cleaning, since you will not be able to identify the cause of the malfunction if it is caused by clogged contacts or the cooling system. In addition, diagnostics may fail to complete due to repeated failures.

Unplug the system unit from the outlet at least 15 minutes before cleaning to allow the capacitors to discharge.

Disassemble in the following sequence:

1. Disconnect all wires from the system unit.
2. Remove both side covers.
3. Disconnect the power connectors from the video card and remove it.
4. Take out all memory sticks.
5. Disconnect and remove the ribbon cables of all drives.
6. Unscrew and remove all discs.
7. Disconnect all power supply cables.
8. Unscrew and remove the power supply.

Motherboard, cpu cooler, it is unnecessary to remove the case fans, you can also leave the DVD drive if it works normally.

Carefully blow out the system unit and all components separately with a powerful air stream from a vacuum cleaner without a dust bag.

Carefully remove the cover from the power supply and blow it out without touching the electrical parts and the board with your hands and metal parts, as there may be voltage in the capacitors!

If your vacuum cleaner does not work for blowing, but only for blowing, then it will be a little more difficult. Peel it well so that it pulls as hard as possible. We recommend using a soft bristle brush when cleaning.

You can also use a soft brush to clean out any lingering dust.

Thoroughly clean the heatsink of the processor cooler, having previously considered where and how much it is clogged with dust, since this is one of the common reasons overheating of the processor and PC crashes.

Also make sure that the cooler mount has not broken, the clip has not opened and the heatsink is firmly pressed against the processor.

Be careful when cleaning the fans, do not let them spin too much and do not bring the vacuum cleaner head close if it is without a brush, so as not to knock off the blade.

At the end of the cleaning, do not rush to collect everything back, but go on to the next steps.

2. Checking the motherboard battery

The first thing after cleaning, so as not to forget later, I check the battery charge on the motherboard, and at the same time reset the BIOS. In order to pull it out, you need to press with a flat screwdriver on the latch in the direction indicated in the photo and it will pop out by itself.

After that, you need to measure its voltage with a multimeter, it is optimal if it is in the range of 2.5-3 V. The initial voltage of the battery is 3 V.

If the battery voltage is below 2.5 V, then it is advisable to change it already. The voltage of 2 V is critically low and the PC is already starting to malfunction, which manifests itself in resetting the BIOS settings and stopping at the beginning of the PC boot with a proposal to press F1 or some other key to continue booting.

If you do not have a multimeter, you can take the battery with you to the store and ask to be checked there, or just buy a replacement battery in advance, it is standard and very inexpensive.

A clear sign of a dead battery is the constantly flitting date and time on the computer.

The battery needs to be changed in a timely manner, but if you do not have a replacement at hand now, then simply do not disconnect the system unit from the power supply until you change the battery. In this case, the settings should not fly off, but problems can still arise, so do not delay.

Battery check good time for a complete reset BIOS... In this case, not only BIOS settings, which can be done through the Setup menu, but also the so-called volatile CMOS memory, which stores the parameters of all devices (processor, memory, video card, etc.).

Errors inCMOSare often the causes of the following problems:

• the computer does not turn on
• turns on every other time
• turns on and nothing happens
• turns on and off itself

Let me remind you that before resetting the BIOS, the system unit must be disconnected from the outlet, otherwise the CMOS will be powered by the power supply unit and nothing will work.

To reset the BIOS for 10 seconds, close the contacts in the battery connector with a screwdriver or other metal object, this is usually enough to discharge the capacitors and completely clear the CMOS.

A sign that a reset has occurred will be a misplaced date and time, which will need to be set in the BIOS at the next boot of the computer.

4. Visual inspection of components

Carefully inspect all capacitors on the motherboard for swelling and leaks, especially around the processor socket.

Sometimes capacitors do not swell up, but downward, which leads to their tilting, as if they were simply bent a little or soldered unevenly.

If some capacitors are swollen, then you need to return the motherboard for repair as soon as possible and ask to re-solder all the capacitors, including those that are next to the swollen ones.

Also, inspect the capacitors and other elements of the power supply; there should be no swelling, drips, or traces of burning.

Inspect the disc contacts for oxidation.

They can be cleaned with an eraser and after that it is imperative to replace the cable or power adapter with which this disk was connected, since it is already damaged and oxidation is most likely due to it.

In general, check all cables and connectors so that they are clean, with shiny contacts, tightly connected to the drives and the motherboard. All loops that do not meet these requirements must be replaced.

Check if the wires are properly connected from the front of the case to the motherboard.

It is important that the polarity is observed (plus to plus, minus to minus), since there is a total mass on the front panel and non-observance of the polarity will lead to a short circuit, because of which the computer may behave inadequately (turn on once, turn off or reboot itself) ...

Where the plus and minus in the front panel contacts is indicated on the board itself, in the paper manual for it and in electronic version manuals on the manufacturer's website. On the contacts of the wires from the front panel, it is also indicated where the plus and minus are. Usually, the white wire is a minus, and the plus connector can be indicated by a triangle on the plastic connector.

Many even experienced collectors make a mistake here, so check it out.

5. Checking the power supply

If the computer did not turn on at all before cleaning, then do not rush to assemble it, the first step is to check the power supply. However, in any case, it will not hurt to check the power supply unit, it may be because of it that the computer crashes.

Check the PSU fully assembled to avoid electric shock, short circuit, or accidental fan breakage.

To test the power supply, short the single green wire in the motherboard connector with any black one. This will signal the PSU that it is plugged into the motherboard, otherwise it will not turn on.

Then plug the power supply into the surge protector and press the button on it. Don't forget that the power supply itself may also have an on / off button.

A spinning fan should be a sign that the power supply is turned on. If the fan does not spin, then it may be out of order and needs to be replaced.

In some silent blocks power supply, the fan may not start spinning immediately, but only under load, this is normal and can be checked during the operation of the PC.

Use a multimeter to measure the voltage between the pins in the peripheral connectors.

They should be in approximately the following range.

• 12V (yellow-black) - 11.7-12.5V
• 5V (red-black) - 4.7-5.3V
• 3.3V (orange-black) - 3.1-3.5V

If any voltage is absent or greatly outside the specified limits, then the power supply is defective. It is best to replace it with a new one, but if the computer itself is inexpensive, then repair is allowed, PSUs lend themselves to this easily and inexpensively.

Power supply startup and normal voltages good sign, but in itself does not yet mean that the power supply is good, since failures can occur due to dips or voltage ripple under load. But this is already determined at the subsequent stages of testing.

6. Checking the power contacts

Be sure to check all electrical contacts from the outlet to the system unit. The socket must be modern (under European plug), reliable and not loose, with clean elastic contacts. The same requirements apply to the surge protector and the cable from the computer's power supply.

Make sure the contact is secure and there must be no loose, sparking, or oxidized plugs or connectors. Pay close attention to this, as bad contact often causes failure of the system unit, monitor and other peripheral devices.

If you have a suspicion of the quality of the outlet, line filter, the power cable of the system unit or monitor, then change them as soon as possible to avoid damage to the computer. Do not delay and do not save on this, as repairing a PC or monitor will cost significantly more.

Also, poor contact is often the cause of PC malfunctions, which are accompanied by a sudden shutdown or reboot, followed by failures on the hard drive and, as a result, disruption of the operating system.

Failures can also occur due to dips or voltage ripples in the 220 V network, especially in the private sector and remote areas of the city. In this case, crashes can occur even when the computer is idle. Try to measure the voltage at the outlet immediately after spontaneous shutdown or restart the computer and observe the readings for a while. So you can identify long-term drawdowns, which will save you from a linear-interactive UPS with a stabilizer.

7. Assembling and turning on the computer

After cleaning and inspecting the PC, carefully reassemble it and carefully check that you have connected everything you need. If the computer refused to turn on before cleaning or turned on every other time, then it is advisable to connect the components in turn. If there were no such problems, then skip the next section.

7.1. Phased PC assembly

First, connect the motherboard power connector and the processor power connector to the motherboard with the processor. Do not insert RAM, video card and do not connect disks.

Turn on the power of the PC and if with motherboard everything is fine, the CPU cooler fan should spin. Also, if a buzzer is connected to the motherboard, it usually sounds beep code indicating a lack of RAM.

Install memory

Turn off the computer with a short or (if it does not work) long press of the power button on the system unit and insert one stick of RAM into the color slot closest to the processor. If all slots are of the same color, then just go to the one closest to the processor.

Make sure that the memory strip is inserted evenly, all the way and that the latches snap into place, otherwise it may be damaged when you turn on the PC.

If the computer starts up with one memory bar and there is a buzzer, then a code usually sounds indicating that there is no video card (if there is no integrated graphics). If the beep code signals a problem with the RAM, then try inserting another bar in the same place. If the problem continues or there is no other bar, then move the bar to another nearest slot. If there are no sounds, then everything is possible, continue on.

Turn off the computer and insert the second memory strip into the slot of the same color. If the motherboard has 4 slots of the same color, then follow the instructions for the motherboard, so that the memory is in the slots recommended for dual-channel mode. Then turn it on again and check if the PC turns on and what beeps it emits.

If you have 3 or 4 memory sticks, then just insert them one by one, each time turning off and on the PC. If the computer does not start with a certain bar or issues a beep memory error code, then this bar is faulty. You can also check the slots of the motherboard by moving the working bar to different slots.

Some motherboards have a red indicator that glows in case of memory problems, and sometimes a segment indicator with an error code, the decoding of which is in the manual for the motherboard.

If the computer starts up, further memory testing occurs at a different stage.

Installing a graphics card

It's time to test your graphics card by inserting it into the top PCI-E x16 slot (or AGP for older PCs). Do not forget to connect additional power to the video card with the appropriate connectors.

With the video card, the computer should start normally, without sound signals, or with a single sound signal, indicating a normal self-test.

If the PC does not turn on or emits a beep error code for the video card, then it is most likely faulty. But don't jump to conclusions, sometimes you just need to connect a monitor and keyboard.

Monitor connection

Turn off the PC and connect the monitor to the video card (or motherboard if there is no video card). Make sure that the connector to the video card and monitor is firmly connected, sometimes tight connectors do not fit all the way, which is the reason for the absence of an image on the screen.

Turn on the monitor and make sure that the correct signal source is selected on it (the connector to which the PC is connected, if there are several).

Turn on the computer and the graphic splash screen and motherboard text messages should appear on the screen. Usually this is a suggestion to enter the BIOS by pressing the F1 key, a message about the absence of a keyboard or bootable devices, this is normal.

If the computer turns on silently, but there is nothing on the screen, most likely something is wrong with the video card or monitor. The video card can only be checked by moving it to a working computer. The monitor can be connected to another work PC or device (laptop, player, tuner, etc.). Do not forget to select the desired signal source in the monitor settings.

Connecting a keyboard and mouse

If everything is fine with the video card and monitor, then move on. Connect the keyboard first, then the mouse in turn, each time turning off and on the PC. If the computer freezes after connecting the keyboard or mouse, then they need to be replaced - it happens!

Connecting drives

If the computer starts up with a keyboard and a mouse, then we begin to connect hard drives one by one. Connect the second non-operating system drive first (if available).

Do not forget that in addition to connecting the interface cable to the motherboard, you also need to connect the connector from the power supply to the disk.

Then turn on the computer and if it comes to BIOS messages, then everything is fine. If the PC does not turn on, freezes or turns itself off, then the controller of this disk is out of order and needs to be replaced or taken for repair to save the data.

Turn off the computer and connect the DVD drive (if any) with the interface cable and power supply. If problems arise after this, then the drive has a power failure and needs to be replaced; it usually does not make sense to repair.

At the end, we connect the main system disk and prepare to enter the BIOS for initial setup before starting the operating system. We turn on the computer and if everything is fine, proceed to the next stage.

When you turn on your computer for the first time, enter BIOS. Typically used for this Delete key, less often others (F1, F2, F10 or Esc), which is indicated in the tips at the beginning of the download.

On the first tab, set the date and time, and on the "Boot" tab, select the first boot device your operating system hard drive.

On old motherboards with classic BIOS, it might look like this.

On more modern ones with graphical shell UEFI is a little different, but the meaning is the same.

To exit the BIOS while saving the settings, press F10. Do not get distracted and see how it happens full load operating system to notice potential problems.

After the PC has finished booting, check if the fans of the processor cooler, power supply and video card are working, otherwise there is no point in further testing.

Some modern video cards may not turn on the fans until a certain temperature of the video chip is reached.

If any of the case fans do not work, then this is not a big deal, just plan to replace it in the near future, do not be distracted by it now.

8. Error analysis

Here, in fact, the diagnostics begins, and everything described above was only a preparation, after which many problems could go away and without it there was no point in starting testing.

8.1. Enabling memory dumps

If during the operation of the computer blue screens of death (BSOD) appeared, then this can greatly facilitate the identification of the malfunction. A prerequisite for this is the presence of memory dumps (or at least self-written error codes).

To check or enable the dump recording function, press the "Win + R" key combination on the keyboard, enter "sysdm.cpl" in the line that appears and press OK or Enter.

In the window that appears, go to the "Advanced" tab and in the "Startup and Recovery" section, click the "Options" button.

The field "Write debug information" should be "Small memory dump".

If so, then you should already have dumps. previous mistakes in the "C: \ Windows \ Minidump" folder.

If this option was not enabled, then the dumps were not saved, enable it at least now to be able to analyze errors if they are repeated.

Memory dumps may not be able to be generated in time during serious failures with rebooting or shutting down the PC. Also, some system cleaning utilities and antiviruses can delete them, you must disable the system cleaning function during diagnostics.

If there are dumps in the specified folder, then proceed to their analysis.

8.2. Analysis of memory dumps

For analyzing memory dumps in order to identify what leads to failures, there is a wonderful utility "BlueScreenView", which you can download along with other utilities for diagnostics in the "" section.

This utility shows the files that crashed. These files belong to the operating system, device drivers, or some program. Accordingly, by the ownership of the file, you can determine which device or software was the fault of the failure.

If you cannot boot your computer in normal mode, then try to boot in safe, holding down the "F8" key immediately after the disappearance of the graphic splash screen of the motherboard, or text messages BIOS.

Go through the dumps and see which files are most often identified as the culprit of the failure, they are highlighted in red. Right-click on one of these files and view its Properties.

In our case, it is easy to determine that the file belongs to the nVidia video card driver and most of the errors were caused by it.

In addition, some dumps contained the file "dxgkrnl.sys", even from the name of which it is clear that it refers to DirectX, which is directly related to 3D graphics. So, it is most likely that the video card is to blame for the failure, which should be subjected to rigorous testing, which we will also consider.

In the same way, you can determine that the fault is a sound card, network card, hard drive or some kind of program that deeply crawls into the system such as antivirus. For example, if a disk fails, the controller driver will crash.

If you cannot determine to which driver or program this or that file belongs, then look for this information on the Internet by the name of the file.

If the driver crashes sound card, then most likely it is out of order. If it is integrated, then you can disable it through the BIOS and install another discrete one. The same can be said about the network card. However, network glitches can be caused, which is often solved by updating the driver. network card and connecting to the internet via a router.

In any case, do not make hasty conclusions until the diagnosis is complete, maybe your Windows just crashed or a virus got in, which is solved by reinstalling the system.

Also in the "BlueScreenView" utility you can see the error codes and inscriptions that were on the blue screen. To do this, go to the "Options" menu and select the view " Blue screen in XP Style "or press the" F8 "key.

After that, switching between errors, you will see how they looked on a blue screen.

You can also find by the error code possible reason problems on the Internet, but it is easier and more reliable to do this by the ownership of the files. To return to the previous view, you can use the "F6" key.

If mistakes all the time appear different files and various codes errors, then this is a sign of possible problems with the RAM, in which everything crashes. We will subject it to diagnostics in the first place.

9. Testing RAM

Even if you think the problem is not with the RAM, check it first anyway. Sometimes the place has several problems, and if the RAM fails, then it is quite difficult to diagnose everything else due to frequent PC crashes.

Conducting a memory test with boot disk is an a prerequisite as you can get accurate results in the operating room Windows system on a malfunctioning PC is difficult.

In addition, "Hiren's BootCD" contains several alternative memory tests in case the "Memtest 86+" does not start and many more useful utilities for the test hard drives, video memory, etc.

You can download the "Hiren's BootCD" image in the same place as everything else - in the "" section. If you do not know how to properly burn such an image to a CD or DVD disc, refer to the article where we examined, everything is done in the same way.

Configure BIOS to boot from DVD drive or use " Boot Menu"As described in, boot from the" Hiren's BootCD "and run" Memtest 86+ ".

Testing can take from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the speed and amount of RAM. One full pass should be completed and the test will continue on the second round. If everything is normal with the memory, then after the first pass (Pass 1) there should be no errors (Errors 0).

After that, testing can be interrupted by pressing the "Esc" key and the computer will restart.

If there were errors, then you will have to test each bar separately, taking out all the others to determine which one is broken.

If the broken bar is still under warranty, then take a photo from the screen using a camera or smartphone and present it to the warranty department of the store or service center(although this is not necessary in most cases).

In any case, it is not advisable to use a PC with a broken memory and carry out further diagnostics before replacing it, since various incomprehensible errors will pour in.

10. Preparation for component tests

Everything else, except for RAM, is tested under Windows. Therefore, in order to exclude the influence of the operating system on the test results, it is advisable to do, if necessary, temporarily and the most.

If this is difficult for you or there is no time, then you can try to test for old system... But, if failures occur due to malfunctions in the operating system, some driver, program, virus, antivirus (i.e. in the software part), then hardware testing will not help determine this and you can go down the wrong path. And on clean system you will have the opportunity to see how the computer behaves and completely eliminate the influence of the software component.

Personally, I always do everything as it should be from start to finish as described in this article. Yes, it takes a whole day, but ignoring my advice, you can fight for weeks without determining the cause of the problem.

The fastest and easiest way is to test the processor, unless, of course, there are clear signs that the problem is in the video card, which we will discuss below.

If your computer starts to slow down after a while after being turned on, freezes when watching videos, playing games, suddenly reboots or turns off under load, then there is a possibility of processor overheating. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of such problems.

At the stage of cleaning and visual inspection, you had to make sure that the processor cooler is not clogged with dust, its fan rotates, and the heatsink is firmly pressed against the processor. I also hope that you did not remove it when cleaning, as this requires replacing the thermal paste, which I will talk about later.

We will use "CPU-Z" for a stress test with processor warming up, and "HWiNFO" for monitoring its temperature. Although it is better to use for temperature monitoring proprietary utility motherboard, it is more accurate. For example, ASUS has "PC Probe".

To begin with, it would be nice to know the maximum allowable thermal package of your processor (T CASE). For example, for my Core i7-6700K it is 64 ° C.

You can find out by going to the manufacturer's website from a search on the Internet. This is the critical temperature in the heatspreader (under the processor cover), the maximum allowed by the manufacturer. Do not confuse it with the core temperature, which is usually higher and is also displayed in some utilities. Therefore, we will focus not on the core temperature as measured by the processor sensors, but on the overall processor temperature as measured by the motherboard.

In practice, for most older processors, critical temperature above which malfunctions begin is 60 ° C. The most modern processors can work even at 70 ° C, which is also critical for them. You can find out the real stable temperature of your processor from tests on the Internet.

So, we launch both utilities - “CPU-Z” and “HWiNFO”, find the processor (CPU) temperature sensor in the motherboard, launch the test in “CPU-Z” with the “Stress CPU” button and observe the temperature.

If after 10-15 minutes of the test the temperature is 2-3 degrees lower than the critical one for your processor, then there is nothing to worry about. But, if there were failures at high load, then it is better to run this test for 30-60 minutes. If your PC freezes or restarts during testing, you should consider improving the cooling.

Please note that a lot also depends on the temperature in the room, it is possible that in cooler conditions the problem will not manifest itself, but in hotter conditions it will immediately make itself felt. So there is always a need for oversized cooling.

In case of CPU overheating, check if your cooler is adequate. If not, then you need to change it, no tricks will help here. If the cooler is powerful enough, but does not cope a little, then you should change the thermal paste to a more efficient one, at the same time the cooler itself may be installed more successfully.

From inexpensive, but very good thermal greases, I can recommend the Artic MX-4.

It should be applied in a thin layer, after removing the old paste with dry and then moistened with alcohol cotton wool.

Replacing the thermal paste will give you a gain of 3-5 ° C, if this is not enough, then simply add case fans, at least the most inexpensive ones.

14. Testing disks

This is the longest stage after the RAM test, so I prefer to leave it for last. To begin with, you can test the speed of all disks using the "HDTune" utility, to which I give "". This sometimes helps to identify freezes when accessing the disk, which indicates problems with it.

Look at the SMART parameters, where "disk health" is displayed, there should be no red lines and the general disk status should be "OK".

List of main SMART parameters and what they are responsible for you can download in the section "".

Complete test surfaces can be produced using the same utilities from under Windows. The process can take 2-4 hours depending on the size and speed of the disk (about 1 hour for every 500 MB). At the end of the test, there should be no broken block that are highlighted in red.

The presence of such a block is an unambiguous verdict for the disc and a 100% guarantee case. Save your data and change the disk faster, just do not tell the service that you dropped your laptop

You can check the surface as conventional hard disks (HDD) and solid state drives(SSD). The latter really have no surface, but if the HDD or SSD disk will freeze every time during the check, which means that the electronics will most likely fail - you need to change or repair (the latter is unlikely).

If you cannot diagnose the disk under Windows, the computer crashes or freezes, then try to do it using the "MHDD" utility from the "Hiren's BootCD" boot disk.

Problems with the controller (electronics) and the disk surface lead to windows with errors in the operating system, short-term and complete freezes of the computer. Usually these are messages about the inability to read a particular file and memory access errors.

Such errors can be mistaken for problems with the RAM, while the disk may well be to blame. Before you panic, try updating the disk controller driver or vice versa return native driver Windows as described in.

15. Testing the optical drive

For check optical drive it is usually sufficient to simply burn a verification disc. For example, with the help of the program "Astroburn", it is in the section "".

After burning a disc with a message about successful verification, try copying its entire contents on another computer. If the disc is readable and the drive reads other discs (except for poorly readable ones), then everything is fine.

Drive problems that I have encountered are electronics failures that completely hung up or prevented the computer from turning on, breakdowns of the sliding mechanism, contamination of the lens of the laser head and breakage of the head as a result of improper cleaning. In most cases, everything is solved by replacing the drive, since they are inexpensive and even if they have not been used for several years, they die from dust.

16. Checking the case

The case also sometimes breaks, then the button sticks, then the wiring from the front panel falls off, then it closes in the USB connector. All this can lead to unpredictable PC behavior and is solved by careful inspection, cleaning, a tester, a soldering iron and other improvised means.

The main thing is that nothing is short-circuiting, which may be evidenced by an inoperative light bulb or connector. When in doubt, disconnect all wires from the front of the case and try to work at the computer for a while.

17. Checking the motherboard

Often, checking the motherboard comes down to checking all the components. If all the components individually work fine and pass the tests, the operating system is reinstalled, but the computer still crashes, it may be the motherboard. And here I will not help you, diagnose it and identify the problem with the chipset or processor socket only an experienced electronics engineer can do it.

An exception is the crash of a sound or network card, which is solved by disabling them in the BIOS and installing separate expansion cards. Capacitors can be re-soldered in the motherboard, but let's say a replacement north bridge, as a rule, it is not advisable to produce, since it is expensive and there are no guarantees, it is better to immediately buy a new motherboard.

18. If all else fails

Of course, it's always best to find the problem yourself and determine The best way solutions, since some unscrupulous repairmen strive to hang on your ears and rip off three skins.

But it may be that you follow all the recommendations, but you will not be able to determine the problem, I have had this. In this case, the matter is more often in the motherboard or in the power supply unit, maybe there is a microcrack in the PCB and it makes itself felt from time to time.

In this case, there is nothing you can do, take the entire system unit to a more or less well-established computer company. You do not need to carry components in parts, if you are not sure what the matter is, so the issue will never be resolved. Let them figure it out, especially if the computer is still under warranty.

Specialists of a computer store usually do not bother, they have a lot of different components, they just change something and see if the problem has gone away, thus quickly and easily fixing the problem. They also have ample time to conduct tests.

19. Links

Transcend JetFlash 790 8GB
HDD Western digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB
Transcend StoreJet 25A3 TS1TSJ25A3K

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If you have not found the solution you need here - ask a question in group Vkontakte, I will try to help.

General issues

The computer slows down, freezes. What to do?

There are many reasons for the computer slowdown. First, you should exclude the most obvious ones - check for viruses using.

Also make sure you have the most fresh drivers... For example, if games slow down, then perhaps the reason is in the video driver. I talked about the drivers in detail

Running programs can also be the reason for the brakes. I advise you to clean the startup,. Also pay attention to the lower right corner of the screen - near the clock there are icons of some running programs, close them.

Another good advice speed up your computer -.

The program throws an error. How do I fix it?

Very frequent question... Unfortunately, users do not understand that the question is not addressed to a telepathist. When asked necessarily you must specify the verbatim text of the error, actions leading to the error, version installed operating system.

Usually a Google search for the text of the error gives several solutions to the problem.

How to speed up your computer?

The tips are the same as for braking the computer. There are several articles on my site dedicated to.

Are there programs to speed up your computer?

Answer - No... There is only a set that allows the full potential of the computer's computing power to unfold. All kinds of accelerators are, if not a lie, then sheer slyness. There are no miracles. To make your computer run faster, use faster components.

The computer restarts while playing games. What to do?

There are many reasons. The most common:

1. Overheating -
2. Incorrectly working driver (about reinstalling the driver).
3. Hardware problem. It can be detected by inserting the video card into another computer - if there is a reboot, the reason is the video card breakdown. Or, again, this is overheating, so check for overheating first.

The computer restarts by itself. How to solve this problem?

The most likely reason is BSOD... What is it and how to solve it, read

It can also be overheating (see the question above).

Less common reasons for spontaneous computer shutdown:

1. short circuit of any connectors;
2. a loose cord in the connector that goes from the outlet to the system unit;
3. lack of grounding (yes, in addition to the phase and zero available in the sockets, it is highly desirable to connect a normal ground to the computer);
4. power surges (you need a stabilizer);
5. malfunction of the power supply or motherboard.

The latter is difficult to diagnose at home. If you have ruled out all the other reasons, take it to the service center for diagnostics.

The computer shows a blue screen with white text. What's this?

The computer is overheating. What to do?

What if there is no sound?

Most likely the driver for the sound card is not installed. My installation advice is located

Administrator rights are required to copy files to a USB flash drive. What to do?

The easiest way is to format the USB flash drive to FAT32 and the problem will disappear. When you need to transfer files larger than 4 GB to a flash drive, each one -.

Windows related issues

How do I install Windows 8?

Where to download Windows 8?

How do I install Windows 7?

Where to download Windows 7?

How much RAM do you need for Windows 7?

Minimum 512 MB. Of course, the more the better. More about system Windows requirements 7

How to create a USB stick with a Windows installation?

To install Windows from a USB flash drive, you need to prepare it. The instructions are suitable for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.

How to boot from a boot disk, flash drive?

How to install two or more Windows on one computer?

You need to put Windows on different hard disk partitions or different hard drives. More about this There are a lot of instructions on this topic on the Internet.

What if Windows updates won't download?

Usually, an error code is reported. Enter it on Google - chances are there is already a solution.

Virus protection, security

Where can I download a free antivirus?

Programs

Where can I download interesting programs?

List convenient catalogs programs are

Which programs can and cannot be uninstalled?

It all depends on the needs - both yours and the laptops. Go to Control Panel - Programs and Features, see the list. If any of installed programs you do not know, type in its name in Google or Yandex. Knowing its purpose, you can decide whether to delete it or not.

How do I clean my computer of unnecessary files?

For this there is good program.

The program requires administrator rights. What to do?

Right-click on the program shortcut / file - Run as administrator. Why it is needed and how to simplify it, it is written

The virus has deleted files from the flash drive. How to recover?

Most easy way- via free software... However, it is quite possible that the files were not deleted, but were simply hidden. How to "return" them and how to simplify this process, I told in.

How to format a USB flash drive?

Browsers

Sites in Google Chrome require you to update your Flash Player even though the latest is already installed. What to do?

Open the page chrome: // plugins /, click on the right More details, then disable all Flash Players except new version(by the numbers you will see which version is the freshest).

Questions about Linux

Should you try installing Linux?

In my opinion, this is more than necessary. Even if none of the distributions from Linux family(Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mint, Mandriva, Debian, Fedora, ALT Linux etc.), then you will gain experience and your own opinion.

There are many Linux distributions (assemblies, in other words). Most often, novice users choose a distribution kit that is not suitable for their tasks, as a result, they get a negative opinion and forget about Linux as a nightmare. In fact, there are a great many distributions, for a very different range of tasks. Distributions differ in literally everything - from the kernel version to the set of installed programs. Externally, the interface is also very different due to different "desktop environments": someone likes Gnome, someone KDE, someone XFCE or Openbox, IceWM ...