Troubleshooting Tips for Cases and Power Supplies

Troubleshooting Tips for Cases and Power Supplies

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The following advises are based on many years of experience. They are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these tips. You are welcome to distribute these guides free to your friends and associates for personal usage as long as Directron.com is clearly identified as the source. Use of these guides without written permission by Directron.com on business web sites and/or for commercial purposes is strictly not allowed.

The most important part of a computer case is its power supply. Unfortunately, it's also the part that has most of the problems for a case. There are two situations when a new power supply may appear dead on arrival (DOA) when they are actually working as described below:

Most cases and power supplies these days are made and tested in China and other Asian countries where 220V electricity is used. Desktop computer power supplies do not switch the power voltage automatically. (Most notebook computers do!) If the factory forgets to turn the manual switch back to 110V for the North American market after testing, the power supply would appear DEAD if you use on a 110V-outlet. Therefore, always check the voltage setting on the back of a new power supply FIRST if it appears dead.

Do not expect an ATX power supply to work by simply plugging the power and turning on the switch. ATX power supplies are soft-switched on and off by the motherboard and BIOS. Therefore, you must plug it to a working motherboard with a working microprocessor, memory and video card to work. If your computer does not turn on after you turn on the power switch, it may not necessarily mean a dead power supply. The problem might be with the motherboard, microprocessor, memory or video card instead. You must examine all these components to isolate the problem.

The most effective technique to tell if a power supply is causing any problem is to use a different one to see if it solves the problem. If everything works with a different power supply, then the new power supply is most likely the troublemaker. Alternatively, you can plug the new power supply to an existing, working computer to see if it works there.

Computer cases are highly modular. If your computer case is still under warranty, you don't have to send the entire case back if only one part of it is defective. For instance, send only the power supply back for exchange if only power supply is dead. The same is true for the face panel and cover. This would save you quite a bit of shipping and sometimes downtime.

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure that you all the power plugs are connected firmly, including power connections to your motherboard and all the drives.

Make sure the cooling fan inside the power supply is working all the time. Reach out to feel the fan behind your case often. Clean the fan if necessary. If your case feels warmer than room temperature, check the power supply fan first. Most power supply fans are difficult to replace. You are better off to replace the entire power supply since the new one comes with a brand-new warranty.

Before ATX form factor became popular, the compatibility between a power supply and a specific motherboard could be problematic. However, this problem nowadays does not happen very often any more.

The rest of a case is mostly mechanical. You should be able to find a way to get around most of the problems if you are mechanically inclined.

Trouble Shooting Tips after Installing a New Video Card

Trouble Shooting Tips after Installing a New Video Card

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The following advises are based on many years of experience. They are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises. You are welcome to distribute these tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes.

The following troubleshooting tips may help if you experience problems.

Check that the card is seated properly in its expansion slot. Some AGP cards have design flaws and are "well-known" to "pop out" during transportation. For PCI cards, if the problem still exists, try a difference PCI expansion slot.

Ensure the display cable is securely fastened to the card's display connector.

Make sure that the display and computer are plugged in and receiving power.

If necessary, disable any built-in graphics capabilities on your motherboard. For more information, see your computer's manual.

Make sure you selected the appropriate display device and graphics card when you installed your enhanced driver.

If you have problems during start-up, start your computer in Safe Mode. In Windows 98, press the F8 key when "Starting Windows 98" appears; or, in Windows 98, press and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup Menu appears on the screen. Then select the number for Safe Mode, and press Enter

How to Maintain a Computer System?

How to Maintain a Computer System?

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The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

• If you use your computer more than a few hours per day, we suggest you not to turn off your computer at the end of the day. Instead turn off only the monitor to save electricity. Daily power up and down makes the components exposed to high and low temperature cycles that are not good for the life-time of the components, particularly the critical ones such as hard drives, CPU, and memory. The temperature cycle would result in expansion-shrinking cycle for the components. The life-time of electronic components would be increased if they are run at constant temperature with adequate ventilation.
  
  
• If your area experiences a few times of power outage per year, it is necessary to use a UPS. Sudden power downs while the system is running may cause severe damage to hard drives.
  
  
• A tape backup and a lock to make systems hard to move are worthy investment for critical data.
  
  
• Use your hand to touch and feel the cover of your computer at least once a week. The cover should be at room temperature. If it feels warm there may be a problem! Check to make sure that the cooling fans on the power supply and CPU are working properly. Clean the air pathway on the back of the power supply on a regular basis.

Here are some sites on the same or related topics: System Optimization Information, reviews, and much more.

Returning a Defective Hard Drive to the Manufacturer

Returning a Defective Hard Drive to the Manufacturer

By Damon Pipenberg Copyright ?Directron.com 2005

The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

Hard drives are one of the most failure prone components in a computer, but luckily, most carry a good warranty. Directron provides a one-year warranty from the purchase date on all hard drives they sell; other retailers have similar policies. The drive manufacturer's warranty often extends for quite a bit longer than the retailer's warranty. Some manufacturers offer warranties of up to five years after the date of purchase.

If your drive fails, you should first check to see if you can return it to the retailer you purchased it from. You can do this by visiting the retailer's website and finding their warranty policy. Directron's warranty policy can be found here. The warranty policy should tell you how long the warranty on your drive lasts, and how you can go about returning your drive. If your drive is no longer under warranty by the retailer, you can attempt to return it to the manufacturer. This guide will help you do so.

Returning hard drives to the manufacturer is actually a fairly easy task. Most manufacturers have helpful websites that allow you to easily request a return merchandise authorization (RMA). Before you RMA your drive, you should back up your data if the drive is still accessible. Some methods for temporarily reviving a failed hard drive to recover data can be found here. If still inaccessible, the only way to recover your data is to let a data-recovery service do so for you. The manufacturer will not attempt recover your data.

Below are instructions for returning drives to the common manufacturers. Click on a name to jump to the instructions for that manufacturer:

Seagate
Western Digital
IBM
Hitachi
Maxtor
Samsung

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Warranty Policy: Can be viewed on this webpage.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-831-438-6550 Email: Click here

RMA Instructions:
1) Find the model number and serial number of your hard drive. They can be found on the label on the top of the drive, as shown in the picture below. The model number should begin with "ST." The serial number should be labeled "serial: " or "s/n."



2) Visit this site. Enter your model number, serial number, and country on this page. This will allow you to check if your warranty is still valid, and if so, will allow you to begin the RMA process.

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Warranty Policy: Can be viewed on this webpage.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-831-438-6550 Email: Click here

RMA Instructions:
1) Find the serial number, which is located on the label on the top of the hard drive. The label should look similar to the label pictured below.



2) Visit this site and enter the serial number and country. If the serial number has spaces in it, do not enter them. This site will allow you to check if your warranty is still valid.

3) If your warranty is valid, visit this site to begin the RMA process. You can choose either an "Advance Replacement" or a "Regular Replacement." The "Advance Replacement" will allow you to receive a new drive before you return your old one. The only caveat is that it requires a credit card.

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Contact Information: Phone: 1-800-IBM-SERV

RMA Instructions:
1) Determine if your drive has an IBM FRU number. It can be found on the drive label, as shown in the picture below.



2) If your drive has a FRU number, then it is supported by IBM. Continue with these instructions. If your drive does not have an FRU number, it is not supported by IBM, but may be supported by Hitachi. Continue to the instructions for Hitachi.

3) Call IBM at 1-800-IBM-SERV to receive support for a drive supported by IBM.

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Warranty Policy: Can be viewed on this webpage.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-888-426-5214

RMA Instructions:
1) Find the serial number on your drive. It should be labeled "S/N:" and be between 8 and 14 characters long. On some drives, the serial may be preceded and followed by an asterisk.

2) Visit this site, and enter your country and the serial number. This will first check whether the warranty is valid, and if so, will allow you to begin the RMA process.

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Warranty Policy: Can be viewed on this webpage.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-800-262-9867 Email: Click here.

RMA Instructions:
1) Find the serial number on your drive. Visit this site to view instructions on how to do so for your specific model of drive.

2) Visit this site. Enter your serial number to check the status of the warranty on your drive. If it is valid, it will allow you to begin the RMA process. Maxtor offers both normal and advance RMAs. An advance RMA means that you will receive a replacement before you return your drive. The caveat is that the advance method requires a credit card.

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Warranty Policy: Can be viewed on this webpage.

Contact Information: Phone: 1-800-262-9867 Email: Click here.

RMA Instructions:
1) Find the serial number and model number of your hard drive. They should be located on the label on the drive.

2) Visit this site and click the "Request RMA" link. Then click the "New User" button.

3) Enter your personal information in the form and create your account.

4) Click the "Request RMA" link again. Choose the model number of your drive and enter the serial number. This will check the status of your warranty, and begin the RMA process, if the warranty is valid.

Last updated: 03/24/05

How to format/formating/partition/partioning a hard drive with Windows XP?

How to format/formating/partition/partioning a hard drive with Windows XP?

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

IN THIS TASK

INTRODUCTION

MORE INFORMATION

Options for partitioning and formatting your hard disk

Important questions to consider before you partition and format your hard disk

How to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program

Troubleshooting

REFERENCES

On this Page

INTRODUCTION

MORE INFORMATION

REFERENCES

This article describes how to partition and format a hard disk with Microsoft Windows XP. Learn about your partitioning and formatting options, what to consider before you partition or format your hard disk, and how to partition and format your hard disk. Additionally, this article contains links to resources that can help you troubleshoot if problems occur.

INTRODUCTION

This step-by-step article describes how to partition and format a hard disk with Windows XP.

Before you can install an operating system, you must first create a primary partition on the first physical hard disk (Disk 0) on your computer, and then format a file system on that partition. This partition is named the System partition. Alternatively, you can create a separate partition for the operating system on any physical hard disk. This is named the startup partition. The System partition on Disk 0 can also be used as a startup partition

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MORE INFORMATION

Options for partitioning and formatting your hard disk

You can use the Microsoft Windows XP Setup program or the Fdisk and Format tools to partition and format System and startup partitions.

For additional information about how to use Fdisk and Format to partition and format your hard disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to use the Fdisk tool and the Format tool to partition or to repartition a hard disk

If your computer is already running Windows XP, and you want to create partitions other than the System or the startup partitions, you can use the Windows XP Disk Management tools.

For additional information about how to use the Windows XP Disk Management tools to partition and format your hard disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

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Important things to consider before you partition and format your hard disk

Consider the following questions before you partition and format your hard disk:

• Have you prepared the hard disk by following the manufacturer's instructions?
  
  Set the jumpers and the cabling according to the role of the hard disk (for example, master or subordinate) and make any required BIOS (or CMOS) changes. See the documentation that came with your hard disk and motherboard, or contact the manufacturers.
  
  
• What type of file system do you want to use?
  
  You can use either the FAT or NTFS file systems.
  
  For additional information about the differences between the FAT and NTFS file systems, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  
  Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS file systems Description of the FAT32 file system in Windows XP
  
  
• Does the hard disk already contain data? If yes, have you backed up all your important data?
  
  If not, back up your data before you continue. When you partition and format a hard disk, all the data on that partition is permanently deleted. You can view current partition information without deleting your data.
  
  For additional information about how to use the backup utility or the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  
  How to use the Backup utility to back up files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition
  
  How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows XP
  
  How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
  
  How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard from CD-ROM
  
  How to use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Disk in Windows XP
  
  
• Does the hard disk have a drive overlay or a disk management program?
  
  If your computer uses drive overlay software for large hard disk support, do not use the Windows XP Setup program to partition or to format the drive until you have verified Windows XP compatibility with the software manufacturer. If you do not know whether you have drive overlay software installed, contact the software manufacturer before you continue.
• Do you have the floppy disks or the CD-ROMs that you need to reinstall your software?
  
  Make sure that you have the software so that you can reinstall your programs after you partition and format your drive. If you purchased an upgrade for a program, make sure that you have the full version of the original program. Many upgrades for programs require a compliance check before you can install the upgraded product. If you cannot find the original floppy disks or CD-ROMs, contact the software manufacturer before you continue.
• Do you have updated device drivers backed up on storage other than the drive that you want to format and partition?
  
  If you have installed an updated device driver for your peripheral devices (for example, modems and printers), make sure that you back up the new driver for the device to a location other than the drive that you want to format and partition. Therefore, you can reinstall it after you install your operating system.
• Can you start your computer from the CD-ROM drive?

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How to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program

Important If you follow these steps on a hard disk that is not empty, all the data on that hard disk is permanently deleted. We recommend that you back up your hard disk before you follow these steps.

To partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, or insert the first Windows XP Setup disk into the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer.

Note To start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM (or from the startup disk), your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM drive, the DVD-ROM drive, or the floppy disk drive. In some cases, you may have to modify your computer's BIOS settings to set this configuration. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive, the DVD-ROM drive, or the floppy disk drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.

2. If you are starting the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do this.

Note If your hard disk controller requires a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver, press F6 to specify the driver.

For additional information about how to use F6 to supply a third-party OEM device driver while the Windows Setup program is running, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314859 Limited OEM driver support is available with F6 during Windows XP Setup If you are starting from the Windows XP Setup disks, insert each of the additional disks when you are prompted, and then press ENTER to continue after you insert each disk.

3. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.

4. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.

5. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.

6. All the existing partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition by using unpartitioned space. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining unpartitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.

Note If you want to create a partition where one or more partitions already exist, you must first delete the existing partition or partitions, and then create the new partition.

7. Type the size in megabytes (MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.

8. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to create additional partitions if you want them.

9. If you want to install Windows XP, use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER. If you do not want to format the partition and install Windows XP, press F3 two times to quit the Windows Setup program, and then do not follow the remaining steps. In this case, you must use a different utility to format the partition.

10. Select the format option that you want to use for the partition, and then press ENTER. You have the following options:

• Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)
• Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
• Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
• Format the partition by using the FAT file system
• Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

The option to leave the current file system intact is not available if the selected partition is a new partition. The FAT file system option is not available if the selected partition is more than 32 gigabytes (GB). If the partition is larger than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT32 file system (you must press ENTER to confirm). If the partition is smaller than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT16 file system.

Note If you deleted and created a new System partition, but you are installing Windows XP on a different partition, you will be prompted to select a file system for both the System and startup partitions. 11. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to continue. After the Windows Setup program is completed, you can use the Disk Management tools in Windows XP to create or format more partitions.

For additional information about how to use the Windows XP Disk Management tools to partition and format your hard disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

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Troubleshooting

For additional information about how to troubleshoot partition problems in Windows XP, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Windows XP does not recognize all available disk space

Cannot view NTFS logical drive after using Fdisk

Maximum partition size using the FAT16 file system in Windows XP

How to use Convert.exe to convert a partition to the NTFS file system

During Setup you are unable to format a partition with a File Allocation Table format

How to change drive letter assignments in Windows XP

How to remove the Linux LILO Boot Manager

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REFERENCES

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Definition of System partition and Boot partition

The default cluster size for the NTFS and FAT file systems

Description of the FAT32 file system in Windows XP

The purpose of the Boot.ini file in Windows XP

For additional information about how to create and manage partitions in Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition

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Keywords: kbhowtomaster kbtshoot kbfilesystems kbenv kbsetup KB313348

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Originally published by Microsoft on Support.Microsoft.com. Copyright Microsoft.

Fax/Modem Troubleshooting Tips

Fax/Modem Troubleshooting Tips

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The following general-purpose advises are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. Actual procedure may vary among brands. Read your product user manual carefully before any work. Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises. You are welcome to distribute these tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes.

My modem is a 56K, but I can connect to the Internet only at slower speed.
The current copper wired telephone lines are limited only to about 53K. If you are connected only to 33.6 or 28.8K, check the following first:

• Is your modem compatible with the modem used at your ISP?
• Is your modem set up to run at full speed?
• What's the maximum speed your ISP allows?
• How far away are you from your ISP?
• Some modems need special initiation strings to get full speed.
• Some conditions are out of your control, such as weather and conditions of the telephone lines in your community.
• Problems may occur when you are dialing through a phone system such as one in a hotel.

Modem answers incoming calls and then returns to the on-hook condition, disconnecting the caller:
This occurs most often when connecting to a UNIX system. In most case, the host does not prefer to see any result or command echo codes. If this is the case, the codes can be disabled by adding E0 Q1 to the modem configuration string.

The modem dials and appears to complete the connection, but the communications software does not enter the correct mode. (The screen remains blank)
This is normally caused by an I/O address or IRQ conflict. Verify that the COM port is not in use by any other serial device and if necessary use another COM port or I/O address settting. Refer to your computer manual on how to determine what serial ports are installed.

The modem dials and appears to complete the connection, but the communications software does not enter the correct mode. (The screen remains blank)

• There may be an I/O conflict (see the solution for the previous problem).
• The Result Codes may have been disabled by the software configuration set up. Check if Q1 is in the configuration or initialization string. If so, change it to Q0.
• Your software may require numeric result codes rather than verbal result codes. Use either V0 for numeric result codes or V1 for verbal result codes in your initiazation or configuration string.
• Some software require full extended result codes (i.e., CONNECT 33600 instead of CONNECT). This can be controlled by the Xn command. X0 sends a summarized code (CONNECT) and X4 sends a full extended code (CONNECT 33600)

The modem does not auto answer
The auto answer mode is determined by the S0 register. If S0 has been set to 0, the modem will not answer. Asign another value to S0 by entering the following command: S0=n, where n = the number of rings to occur before the call is answered (ATS0=2, the modem answers after two rings)

The modem always answers the phone.
Set the S0 register to 0. ATS0=0.

The communications software displays, "No Dialtone."
Make sure that your phone cable is working properly and that it is firmly seated to the phone socket at your phone jack and in the real panel of the modem.

A high pitched squeal is emitted from the external speakers
This phenomenon is "feedback" and occurs when the microphone is pointed at the external speaker or is close enough to pick up the speaker output. This may be remedied by using a unidirectional microphone, making sure that it is pointed away and as far from the speaker as functionally possible. Another option is to use a headset with an attached microphone.

Troubleshooting Tips for a New Motherboard

Troubleshooting Tips for a New Motherboard

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

The following advice is based on many years of experience. They are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises. You are welcome to distribute these tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes.

| Choose Motherboard | Motherboard Installation Guide |

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected and connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" due to vibration.

System has no power at all. Power light does not illuminate, fan inside the power supply does not turn on, and indicator light on keyboard does not turn on.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Power cable is unplugged.	Visually inspect power cable.	Make sure power cable is securely plugged in.
Defective power cable.	Visual inspection, try another cable.	Replace cable.
Power supply failure.	Power cable and wall socket are OK, but system is still dead.	Contact technical support
Faulty wall outlet;circuit breaker or fuse blown.	Plug device into socket know to work and test.	Use different socket, repair outlet, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse.

System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive is spinning.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Expansion card is partially dislodged from expansion slot on the motherboard.	Turn off computer. Take cover off system unit. Check all expansion cards to ensure they are securely seated in slots.	Using even pressure on both ends of the expansion card, press down firmly on expansion card.
Defective floppy disk drive or tape drive.	Turn system off. Disconnect the cables from one of the floppy drives. Turn on the system, check to see if the keyboard operates normally. Repeat until you have located defective unit.	Contact Technical Support.
Defective expansion card.	Turn computer off. Remove an expansion card.	Make sure expansion card is secure in expansion socket.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged.	When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION.	Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your motherboard manual).
Damaged Hard Disk or Disk Controller.	Format hard disk; if unable to do so, the hard disk may be defective.	Contact Technical Support.
Hard Disk directory or FAT is scrambled.	Run the FDISK program, format the hard drive(See HARD DRIVE section of manual). Copy your backup data back onto hard drive.	Backing up the hard drive is extremely important. All Hard Disks are capable of breaking down at any time.

System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications can be used, but booting from Hard Disk is impossible.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Hard Disk boot program has been destroyed.	A number of causes could be behind this.	Back up data and applications files. Reformat the Hard Drive as described in the Hard Drive section of the manual. Re-install applications and data using backup disks.

Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
A number of causes could be behind this.	Use a file by file backup instead of an image backup to backup the Hard Disk.	Back up any salvageable data. Then do a low level format, partition, and high level format of the hard drive( see Hard Disk section of your manual for instructions). Re-install all saved data when completed.

Disk formatted on IBM PS/2 will not operate with this system.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
The IBM PS/2 uses a different format than other computers.	IBM PS/2 disk format will not work in an AT type computer.	Format disk in the AT type computer insert disk into the IBM PS/2 and copy the files you wish.

After install an expansion card (network card, tape drive card, etc.) the system no longer works properly.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
No power to monitor.	All or part of the system may be inoperable. The new card may work but a mouse or COM port may not work.	Change the interrupt or RAM address on the new expansion card. See the documentation that came with the new card in order to change pin settings. many expansion devices come with proprietary software that will assist you in doing this.

Screen message says "Invalid Configuration" or "CMOS Failure."

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Incorrect information entered into the configuration (setup) program.	Check the configuration program. Replace any incorrect information.	Review system's equipment. Make sure correct information is in setup.

Screen is blank.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
No power to monitor.	Power connectors may be loose or not plugged in.	Check the power connectors to monitor and to system. Make sure monitor is connected to display card, change I/O address on network card if applicable.
Monitor not connected to computer.		See instructions above.
Network card I/O address conflict.		See instructions above.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged.	When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION.	Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your

Problem

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Memory problem, display card jumpers not set correctly.		Reboot computer. Re-install memory, make sure that all memory modules are installed in correct sockets. Check jumper and switch settings on display card. See display card section for information of settings.
Computer virus.		Use anti-virus programs (McAfee/PC-cillin, E-port, etc) to detect and clean viruses.

Screen goes blank periodically.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Screen saver is enabled.		Disable screen saver.

Keyboard failure.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keyboard is disconnected.		Reconnect keyboard. Check keys again, if no improvement, replace keyboard.

No color on screen.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Faulty Monitor.		If possible, connect monitor to another system. If no color, replace monitor.
CMOS incorrectly set up.		Call technical support.

Floppy drive lights stays on.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Floppy Drive cable not connected correctly.		Reconnect floppy cable making sure PIN1 on the Floppy Drive corresponds with PIN1 on floppy cable connector.

Error reading drive A:

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Bad floppy disk.		Try new floppy disk.
Floppy disk not formatted		Format floppy disk(type ENTER)

C: drive failure.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
SETUP program does not have correct information.		Boot from drive A: using DOS system disk. Input correct information to SETUP program.
Hard Drive cable not connected properly.		Check Hard drive cable.

Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Master/Slave jumpers not set correctly.		Set master /Slave jumpers correctly.
Hard Drives not compatible / different manufacturers.		Run SETUP program and select correct drive types. Call drive manufactures for compatibility with other drives.

Missing operating system on hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
CMOS setup has been changed.		Run setup and select correct drive type.

Certain keys do not function.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keys jammed or defective.		Replace keyboard.

Keyboard is locked, no keys function.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keyboard is locked.		Unlock keyboard

Trouble Shooting Tips after Installing a New Hard Drive

Trouble Shooting Tips after Installing a New Hard Drive

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The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

1. Basic Troubleshooting Tips after Installing a New Hard Drive

Based on Seagate IDE hard drives.

If you have installed your drive and it does not function properly, perform the following basic checks:

Warning: Always turn off the computer before changing jumpers or unplugging cables and cards. Wear a ground strap or use other antistatic precautions while working on your computer or handling your drive.


• Verify compatibility. Verify that the host adapter and drive are appropriately matched to each other and to your computer. Refer to the relevant documentation for details.
• Check all cards. Verify that all cards are seated in their slots on the motherboard and secured with mounting screws.
• Check all connectors and cables. Make sure all ribbon and power cables are securely connected. Ribbon cables are easily damaged, especially at the connector. Try a new cable that you know is good. Make sure no connector pins are bent. Verify that pin 1 on the interface cable is aligned with pin 1 on the drive and host adapter (see Figure 2 on page 6).
• Verify jumper settings. Review the instructions in this guide and in your host adapter installation guide. Make sure all appropriate jumpers are installed or removed as necessary.
• Check your power-supply specifications. Each time you add a new device to your computer, make sure your cornputer's internal power supply can support the total power demand. If necessary, consult your dealer for a new power supply.
• Verify the drive-type settings in the system setup program. The drive-type settings in the system BIOS must not exceed the physical specifications of your drive. Also, the settings must not exceed the limitations set by the operating system and BIOS.
• Check for viruses. Before you use someone else's diskette in your system for the first time, scan the diskette for viruses.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

If you have performed the preceding basic checks but the problem persists, follow these guidelines for troubleshooting specific cases:
• After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.
  
• The screen remains blank when you power up the system.
  
• The system does not recognize the drive.
  
• The dealer partitioned and formatted the drive for you in the store, but the drive does not respond when you install it.
  
• The system hangs in FDISK or fails to create or save the partition record.
  
• The system error message, "Drive not Ready," appears.
  
• The FDISK error message, "No Fixed Disk Present," appears.
  
• The drive does not format to full capacity.
  
• The DOS message "Disk Boot Failure," "Non-System Disk" or "No ROM Basic - SYSTEM HALTED" appears.
  
• The system error message, "HDD controller failure" appears.
2. After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.


Check your computer manual or BIOS manufacturer to determine whether your BIOS supports drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. If your system has this limitation, use the following procedure to configure your computer:


1. Turn off your computer, open the case, and remove your new drive.
   
   CAUTION: To avoid electrostatic discharge damage to your computer or hard drive, make sure you are well grounded before touching the drive, cable, connector or jumpers.
   
   
2. Move the jumper on the alternate-capacity jumper, as shown in Figure 6. This causes the drive to appear to your BIOS as having a 2.1-Gbyte capacity (4,092 cylinders, 16 heads, 63 sectors per track). You may need third-party partitioning software, such as Disk Manager, to achieve full capacity of the drive.
3. Remount your drive in the computer and replace the computer cover.
4. Insert a bootable system diskette into drive A and turn on the computer. It should boot from drive A and automatically detect the new drive as a 2.1 -Gbyte drive.
5. Insert your DiscWizard diskette into drive A and type A:XDM. Then press ENTER. This runs the Disk Manager program.
6. Follow the Disk Manager instructions to install the dynamic drive overlay and to partition and format your new drive to its full capacity.
7. After Disk Manager is done, reboot your system. You should see the Disk Manager banner and be able to access the full capacity of your new drive.


3. The screen remains blank when you power up the system.

If the steps listed above do not remedy this problem, try the following:
• Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.
• Check all cards.
• Make sure the video card is seated in its slot and secured with mounting screws.
• Turn off the computer and remove the drive host adapter. If the screen turns on after you reboot, the host adapter may be incompatible or defective. If so, see your dealer.


4. The system does not recognize the drive.
• Check all cables.
• Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
• Reboot the computer and listen to make sure the drive motor starts up. If the drive is very quiet, it may be difficult to hear its discs reach operating speed. If the drive motor does not start up, recheck all drive cables.
• Verify that for each drive, a drive-type is listed in the system setup program.
• Try rebooting your computer by pressing the CTRL, ALT and DELETE keys simultaneously. If the drive is recognized after you reboot the system, the computer BIOS test may be completing before the drive is ready.
  One solution is to slow the processor speed during startup. If your computer has a turbo switch, set it to slow speed before turning the computer on. If there is no turbo switch, you may be able to use keyboard commands; see your computer manual for details. After the computer is up and running, return the processor to the fast speed.
  Another solution is to warm-boot your computer after every power-on.
• Check for I/O address conflicts. To isolate the conflict, verify that the drive and host adapter are compatible with your computer. Turn off the computer and remove all the peripheral adapter cards except for the video card and host adapter. If the computer recognizes the drive when you reboot the computer, turn off the computer. Reinstall the other peripheral cards, one at a time, until the conflict reoccurs. After you have isolated the source of the address conflict, you can resolve the conflict by changing the 1/0 address of the peripheral that appears to cause the conflict.
• If Disk Manager has installed the DDO on your hard drive and you have booted directly from a diskette, the information in the boot record for the drive may not have been loaded. Make sure there is no diskette in drive A and reboot. If you want to boot from the diskette, follow the "Booting with a Diskette" instructions under "Advanced Disk Manager Options" on page 20.


5. The dealer partitioned and formatted the drive for you in the store, but the drive does not respond when you install it.
• Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.
• Check all cables.
• Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
• Make sure the DOS or Windows version the dealer used to partition and format the drive is the same version you have installed in your computer. If it isn't, see your dealer.
• Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program. You must install the drive using the same drive-type values your dealer used to partition the drive.
• Check for 1/0 address conflicts between peripheral cards.
• Check for viruses.


6. The system hangs in FDISK or fails to create or save the partition record.
• Check all cables.
• Your setup system diskette may be corrupted. Try using a backup diskette.
• Make the partitions smaller.
• Change the interrupt jumper setting on the host adapter.
• Some BIOS have a Track 0 protection feature that protects Track 0 from viruses. This may cause FDISK to hang the system. You must disable this feature in the system setup program before you can use FDISK. See your computer reference guide for assistance. Be sure to re-enable this important feature when FDISK is done.


7. The system error message, "Drive not Ready," appears.
• Check all cable connections. Make sure pin 1 of the drive is connected to pin 1 of the hard-disc controller or host adapter.
• Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
• Reboot the computer and make sure the drive spins up.


8. The FDISK error message, "No Fixed Disk Present," appears.
• Make sure the power supply is adequate for system needs.
• Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program.
• Check for 1/0 address conflicts.


9. The drive does not format to full capacity.
• Verify the drive-type values in the system setup program. One of the following problems may have occurred:
• The values may be set with an incorrect translation characteristic.
• You may have entered a parameter value that exceeds the physical capacity of the drive.
• You entered a translation characteristic that does not take full advantage of the drive's capacity.
• The drive's physical specifications exceed the translation limits imposed by the BIOS.
  
  CAUTION: If you change the drive-type values in the system setup program, you must partition and format the drive again. This erases data on the drive.
  
  
• If you have partitioned the drive into individual logical drives, you may need to make the partitions smaller to access the full drive capacity.
• If your computer supports LBA mode, you may need to enable LBA mode in the system setup program to access the full capacity of the drive. Refer to your computer's reference guide to find out how to enable LBA.
• Your computer may not support drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. Follow the instructions on page 25 for After you install your new drive, your computer will not boot, and no error message appears on the screen.


10. The DOS message "Disk Boot Failure," "Non-System Disk" or "No ROM Basic - SYSTEM HALTED" appears.
• Reinstall the DOS system files using the DOS SYS utility.
• Check all cables.
• Use FDISK to verify that the primary partition is active.
• Check for viruses.


11. The system error message, "HDD controller failure" appears.
• Confirm the jumper settings on the drive.
• Verify the drive-type settings in the system setup program.

Common Troubleshooting Techniques & Strategies

Common Troubleshooting Techniques & Strategies

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

Here are five common-sense techniques and strategies to solve common computer hardware problems.

(1) Trial-and-error

Personal computers are highly modular by design. The most powerful trouble-shooting technique is to isolate the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Swap compatible components and see if the system still works. Try different peripherals on different machines and see if the same problem occurs. Make one change at a time.

(2) "It's the cable, s-----."

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card and sound card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" during transportation.

(3) Don't be frustrated!

Don't be afraid of computer problems. It is often the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine the satisfaction you could get by solving a problem yourself.

Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you are frustrated and have spent too much time on the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it's time to leave it for a while and go back with some new ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of thumb: You shouldn't spend more than three hours on the same problem at one time.

(4) Take notes!

Take notes of what you have done and all the error messages. You may need to use them later. For instance, when you see an unusual blue screen with an error message, copy the entire message onto a piece of paper. In many situations, that message may point to the right direction in getting the problem solved quickly.

(5) Take a look?

It's OK to open a computer case and take a look inside. There is only 5V and 12V DC voltage supplied to the components outside the power supply. Those who have never seen the inside of a computer are often amazed by how simple it looks. Of course, still always power down and unplug the power cord first.

Troubleshooting Tips for a New Network Card

Troubleshooting Tips for a New Network Card

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The following advises are based on many years of experience. They are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises. You are welcome to distribute these tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes.

1. If you can't connect to a server or if Windows reports an error after you double-click Network Neighborhood, try the following first:
• Make sure you're using the drivers that are on the drivers disk that ships with the network interface card (NIC).
• Make sure the driver is loaded and the protocols are bound. Check the Device Properties list for trouble indicators (an "X" or "!" symbol).
• Test the NIC adapter with the diagnostic utilities that often came with the driver installation.
• Check with your LAN administrator - you may need to install additional networking software.
2. If the problem persists, follow these guidelines:
• Make sure the cable is installed properly. The network cable must be securely attached at both RJ45 connections (adapter and hub). The maximum allowable distance from adapter to hub is 100 meters. If the cable is attached and the distance is within acceptable limits but the problem persists, try a different cable. If you're directly connecting two computers without a hub or switch, use a crossover cable.
• Try another network cable.
• Check the LED Lights on the NIC. Before the LEDs can be used for troubleshooting, the network interface card (NIC) must be connected to the network and the network driver must be installed. Most NICs come with LEDs near the connection. The meaning of the LED signals may be different from one manufacturer to the other. Here is a common LED description for 3COM 10/100BT dual speed NIC. Please consult your NIC manual for any difference.

LED	Description	Flashing	Steady (On)	Off
10 LNK	Green: Link integrity	Reversed polarity	Good 10BT connection	No connection between NIC & hub
100 LNK	Green: Link integrity	Reversed polarity	Good 100BT connection	No connection between NIC & hub
ACT	Yellow: Port traffic for either speed	Network traffic present	Heavy network traffic	No traffic

3. The computer hangs when the drivers are loaded.
• Change the PCI BIOS interrupt settings. See your NIC and system manuals for more details.
• If you are using EMM386, it must be version 4.49 or newer.
4. Diagnostics pass, but the connection fails or errors occur.
• At 100BT, use Category 5 wiring and make sure that the network cable is securely attached.
• At 100BT, connect to a 100BT hub/switch (not 100Base-T4).
• For NetWare, make sure you specify the correct frame type in your NET.CFG file.
• Make sure the duplex mode setting on the adapter matches the setting on the switch.
5. The LNK LED doesn't light.
• Make sure you've loaded the network drivers.
• Check all connections at the adapter and the hub/switch.
• Try another port on the hub/switch.
• Make sure the duplex mode setting on the adapter matches the setting on the hub/switch.
• Make sure you have the correct type of cable between the adapter and the hub. 100Base-TX requires two pairs. Some hubs require a crossover cable while others require a straight-through cable.
6. The ACT LED doesn't light.
• Make sure you've loaded the correct network drivers.
• The network may be idle. Try accessing a server.
• The adapter isn't transmitting or receiving data. Try another adapter.
• Make sure you're using two-pair cable for TX wiring.
7. The adapter stopped working without apparent cause.
• Run the diagnostics program that came with the NIC.
• Try reseating the NIC in its slot, or try a different slot if necessary.
• The network driver files may be corrupt or missing. Remove the drivers and then reinstall them.
8. The Wake on LAN (WOL) feature is not working.
• Make sure the WOL cable is attached and that power is being applied to the computer.
• Check the BIOS for its WOL setting. Some computers may need to be configured for WOL.
• Make sure the network cable is fully attached to the adapter.
9. Crossover cable troubleshooting tips.
When you work with network cabling, concentrators (hubs or switch), and NICs from different venders, it is possible to connect everything and still have no communication between file servers and workstations.
When there are several unknown variables, it is difficult to determine which component is broken. Use these tips to isolate the problem.
• Determine whether your equipment complies with the 10Base-T or 100Base-TX standard. This is particularly important for hubs and switches.
• Connect a straight-through cable from the PC to the hub. The hub performs an internal crossover so that the signal can go from TD+ to RD+ and TD- to RD- (see How to Make Network Cables). When you look at an RJ-45 connector from the front, pin 1 is identified on the left-hand side when the metal contacts are facing up.
• Make sure that the TD+ and TD- wires are twisted together , and that the RD+ and RD- wires are twisted together. Using wires from opposing pairs can cause signals to be lost. For a 100Base-TX cable, pins #1 and #2 , and #3 and #6 must be on the same twisted strand.
10. When there is doubt whether a hub is performing correctly, or if the impedance settings are in question, a crossover cable can help you isolate the failing component:
• Connect a file server and a client PC back to back with a crossover cable to verify that the NIC and network operating system are properly configured.
• To make a crossover cable, simple connect TD+ to RD+ and TD- to RD-. The cable performs the crossover that is usually performed by the hub. Make sure that two twisted-pair wires are used. If the file server and client PC function together as a small network, then either the existing cabling or the hub is the problem.
• If there is a proper crossover, the appropriate LED comes on. If there is a straight-through connection, the LED does not light. A blinking LED indicates that there is a polarity mismatch (that is, TD+ to RD- instead of TD+ to RD+).

If a problem persists, please search for a solution or post a question in our tech support forum in our Help Desk.

If you find this article useful, please create a link to it from your website or tell a friend about it. If you have any comments or suggestions about this article, please email information@directron.us

Windows, Hardware Problems

One thing every Fort Lauderdale computer repair service knows is that a user's hardware problems are often difficult to tackle, especially if said woes involve Windows.

One experienced Broward computer service technician tells a story of inserting an Audio hardware disk, believing it was harmless and that she I could always undo any problem she encountered.

Oh, how wrong she was.

The next time she started Windows, she was greeted with - what else - the blue screen of death. It's a sight that if you see it once, you'll never forget the abject terror you experience. Yes, Windows can be nasty when it comes to hardware.

So where do you begin? By going a step at a time. Our team of Fort Lauderdale computer repair experts recommends the following measures ...

Step One: Calm Down

Take a deep breath. If you keep your composure, you may be able to solve the problem yourself before resorting to formatting or sending to a Fort Lauderdale computer repair company. It's okay - we know you'd rather avoid it at all costs! Try to ascertain what's happening and the cause of your problems, rather than banging your fists in a fit of rage (as obvious as this sounds, it's tougher than you think).

It may be a simpler problem than you believed. In one recent case, a client saw the installation overwrite his old settings and replace the wrong files. There is always a reason Windows behaves improperly. It's just a matter of isolating and attacking it.

Step Two: Logging Back In

Try to log back on. If you can't log into Windows, don't panic. Restart the machine. When "Starting Windows ..." appears, hit F8. A menu should appear. Choose "Safe Mode" (it takes time to load) and continue. When you are in Windows, go to Control Panel, System. Click on the Device Manager tab. Find the faulty hardware driver and delete it. If the hardware is a CD-ROM or sound card, it will probably add lines.

One key step any Broward computer repair service recommends is to check for backup of the files in doubt - most installation will back up the most important files on its own, but you have to make sure. If there is, simply replace with the backup files. If there aren't, put "REM" in front of every line that loads hardware.

Step Three: Fort Lauderdale Computer Repair

When you restart, your computer is probably fine, since you have deleted all instances of the hardware drivers. But the hardware isn't functioning. Re-install the drivers, restart, and you're finished. If the problem still persists, your probably have a deeper system conflict. Consult your local Broward County computer service for assistance!