Computer Not Starting? What You Can Do

Computers Behaving Badly: Shut Downs

DIY Diagnosis and Solutions 

I woke up this morning and in the night my computer decided it had had enough and decided on its own volition to shut itself down! Why? Is it confused, tired, does it disapprove of something? Or is it a 'sign from above' that I need to take more care of it?

 In all things computers 'forewarned is forearmed'. Knowledge is power so take the emotion out of the picture (its very stressful when they start to misbehave) and look at the symptoms...

Common Hardware Faults

Symptom 1: Computer does not start, no lights on the computer, no sounds from the computer, the monitor is blank or displays no signal

Possible Solutions 1 - Desktop Computer

• Check that the power to the computer is on and that the power cables are plugged in securely. (you may laugh but I have had to fix many computers over the years this way, and it is a very expensive oversight).
  
  
• If the power cables are in securely then remove the power cable from the computer completely and leave it out for 3 minutes (approx) and then reattach it and try starting the computer again. (sometimes computers develop a power loop on the motherboards and this needs to discharge before it will start).

If it is still not working

• Check to see if the power supply is working by placing your hand at the back of the computer where you plugged in the power cable, if the fan is spinning you should feel a small breeze on your palm.

Diagnosis

If there is no breeze then the problem is most likely a blown power supply. (average cost apprx $80). I would recommend you have this repaired by a technician but it is something you will be able to do yourself.

Possible Solutions 2 - Laptop Computer
1. Check that the power to the laptop is on and that the power cables are plugged in securely.

2. If the power cables are in securely then remove the power cable from the laptop completely and also turn the laptop over and remove the internal battery.

Generally the batteries in most laptops are held in by clips (switches) so move those to the unlock position and release the battery. (these devices commonly develop a power loop and I have pacified numerous distressed clients extremely quickly and inexpensively using just this technique).

3. Whilst the battery is out plug back in the power supply (adaptor) and try to restart the laptop, if it does not start remove the power supply and plug the battery back in.

4. Try to restart the laptop. 

Diagnosis 

If the laptop starts with the battery in and power supply out but doesn't start with just the power supply in then you have a faulty power supply. (costs vary depending on the make and model of the laptop but these items can be purchased online at the cheapest rate). If the laptop starts with the power supply in and the battery out but doesn't start with both in then you have a faulty battery. (very rare and once again replacement costs vary depending on make and model)

If the laptop fails to restart after trying all of these techniques then the problem is a hardware fault inside the laptop and most likely (unless it is under warranty) is not worth repairing as the labour and replacement costs will match or exceed the cost of purchasing a new laptop.

as I said Knowledge is power...

Warm Regards
Kim-Denyse

My Computer Tutor
www.mycomputertutor.net.au

Computers Behaving Badly: Part I

The facts of life are that your computer is going to have a hissy fit and misbehave eventually

It’s a frightening and stressful experience as you contemplate losing all your work, hefty repair bills and major loss of time…not to mention the inconvenience of being without it

Most of the stress is caused by not knowing what is going on and as you hand over your life’s work to a Swahili speaking technician, you are at his/her mercy

Well, knowledge is power and like it or not you need to learn a leetle bit of techy talk to alleviate your pain

It is my mission to help you understand in the simplest terms what you need to know as a computer owner/operator in order for you to take back some control and save you that imminent nervous breakdown, stroke, heart attack and major financial set back

Computers really aren't all that mysterious. All types of computers consist of two basic parts:

Hardware and Software

Anything you buy for your computer can be classified as either hardware or software

1. Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, e.g. the computer monitor or keyboard

If you can touch it, it is hardware

“Hardware: The parts of a computer system that can be kicked.” (Jeff Pesis)

2. Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do

It guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task. Software can be downloaded from the internet or installed from a CD. e.g. a Program

When you have a problem with your computer it is important to establish whether the cause is hardware or software related

• 
  
  Generally if you are able to start your computer and get into the windows screen without the computer stopping, restarting, freezing, or blue screening (crashes) then the problem is most likely software related
  

  
  
  
  
• If your computer does not start, crashes, freezes, or restarts before you can get in the windows screen then the problem is hardware related

The most common exception to that rule is if your system is severely infected with viruses and in that case you will need to treat those symptoms as a hardware failure although technically it is a software issue. The reason for this is because the software used to identify the hardware component has been corrupted and creates a scenario that deems the hardware as faulty.

(transl: the software gets mixed up and decides your hardware is broken when it might not be)

HINT: to prove if the problem is software related ...

1. Start the computer in safe mode by continually pressing F8 when the computer first starts showing writing on the monitor,
2. then select the safe mode option from the start up options provided. This can sometimes stop the computer from installing the corrupted software.
3. If the computer starts and you are able to get to the windows screen then the problem is probably due to corrupted software for a hardware component. 

 (do not panic if this seems a bit complex and doesn't work first time it takes practice even for experienced users)

REMEMBER: the majority of software faults including virus removal can be fixed remotely by a competent technician and some can be repaired by you with their assistance.

Hardware faults will generally require the physical presence of a technician, however some faults can be fixed easily by following some simple guides

I have a lot more to say on the subject but let me know what you think so far

I am happy to translate this page into even more simple terms

Warm regards,

Kim-Denyse D.BUS.M.D

http://www.mycomputertutor.net.au/