In markets worldwide there are two types of computers available to the average home PC user viz., branded PC and assembled PC. Each has got its own benefits and drawbacks that are beyond the scope of this article. Usually a branded PC is delivered and installed by the OEM (or their dealers) at the customers’ home. So, there are no hassles about installation.
The same is not the case with an assembled PC. While taking delivery of the PC make sure that you take delivery of the motherboard drivers CD, DVD-drivers CD, display unit (monitor) drivers CD, and graphics card drivers CD, sound card drivers CD and LAN card drivers CD. These are most essential to configure the assembled PC the first time you start using it. Apart from this it is a common practice that you are also given a complimentary utilities CD also. This takes care of the hardware part. When it comes to the software part you need some operating system software like windows or Linux. So ensure that you also get these CDs along. Remember that you need all these CDs for a proper installation of the assembled computer.
Irrespective of which type of computer you are buying you need to preserve all the CDs that you got while buying the computer. The reason for this is quite simple. Technology development these days is so fast that today’s technology becomes obsolete in a few months and if you have purchased the computer intending to use it for 3 years you wouldn’t find these CDs the second time when you need them. So keep them locked up in a safe place.
So long as you have a steady power supply it is fine to draw power to the computer directly. In all other cases where there is a likelihood of power fluctuations buy an UPS to be used with the PC. With all these equipment at your disposal install the assembled PC and enjoy computing.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Few important points to check when a computer fails to start:
1. Please check whether the power cable is properly plugged in the power socket and the mains switched on.
2. There are many cables coming into the CPU and going out and connecting elsewhere. Please check whether all the cables fit snugly into the sockets provided. Some connectors need nine pin, sixteen pin or twenty five pin connectors as the case may be. In certain cases when the cables are mishandled one of the pins are broken and when you use such cables the computer will not start. So make sure that all the pins of the connectors are intact.
3. Usually power to the computer is drawn through an UPS. A battery of an UPS has a life of 1000 cycles and after 1000 cycles (one charge and one discharge of the battery constitutes one cycle or in other words if you switch on and off the UPS one cycle is completed) it has to be replaced; otherwise the power supply fluctuates resulting in the failure of the CPU.
4. The display unit or the monitor of a computer may be checked whether it is switched on. Sometimes we switch it off and forget it. So the next time we switch on the computer the display doesn’t show. Make it a habit to switch off the display unit at the time of shutting down and switch it on at the time of starting the computer.
This is a check list which will help you many of the problems associated with a blank screen or non-booting of the computer.
2. There are many cables coming into the CPU and going out and connecting elsewhere. Please check whether all the cables fit snugly into the sockets provided. Some connectors need nine pin, sixteen pin or twenty five pin connectors as the case may be. In certain cases when the cables are mishandled one of the pins are broken and when you use such cables the computer will not start. So make sure that all the pins of the connectors are intact.
3. Usually power to the computer is drawn through an UPS. A battery of an UPS has a life of 1000 cycles and after 1000 cycles (one charge and one discharge of the battery constitutes one cycle or in other words if you switch on and off the UPS one cycle is completed) it has to be replaced; otherwise the power supply fluctuates resulting in the failure of the CPU.
4. The display unit or the monitor of a computer may be checked whether it is switched on. Sometimes we switch it off and forget it. So the next time we switch on the computer the display doesn’t show. Make it a habit to switch off the display unit at the time of shutting down and switch it on at the time of starting the computer.
This is a check list which will help you many of the problems associated with a blank screen or non-booting of the computer.
PC buzzes and does not boot:
Computers have become a part of our life. Personal computing involves usage of desktop PC for our day to day use. We seldom maintain our PC inspite of its usage. In places like US of A where the temperature is low and the climate cold, not much maintenance is needed. Elsewhere the temperatures are high and there is dust to cope with. One fine morning when I powered on the computer it started emitting a buzz but didn't go further. The power light and the CPU light in the front panel are glowing and the fan on the power supply (SMPS) is running but still nothing shows up. This is a problem that many PC users face over a period of time. This occurs due to the dust accumulation on the mother board and the RAM slot. This is a very easy problem that can be handled ourselves without the need for a computer technician. First switch of the power and remove the power cord from the mains. Use the star screwdriver and open the side panels of the CPU. The circuit board that we see is called the mother board. On this you can find written in white RAM and one or two RAM's plugged perpendicular to the motherboard. These RAM's are clamped on the edges. Just lift the clamps and the RAM's come out themselves.Take a camel hair brush and a soft cloth and clean these RAM's as well as the motherboard delicately. Never ever use a high powered vacuum cleaner to clean the mother board or the RAM as they tend to damage the circuits. Once you are through with the cleaning process insert the RAM's back in the RAM slot and if the RAM's fit snugly into the RAM slot the clamps automatically lock up the RAM with the mother board. Close the side panels, insert the power cord and run the power supply. Start the CPU and your PC is up and running. To prevent recurrence of such a problem repeat this hardware troubleshooting technique atleast once a month.
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