Chapter 4 Supporting Computer Power Supply PDF

Module 4 Power Supplies and Troubleshooting Computer Problems Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage...

Module 4 Power Supplies and Troubleshooting Computer Problems Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 1  Part 1 CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 2  Module Objectives By the end of this module, you should be able to: Describe the methods and devices for keeping a system cool Select a power supply to meet the power needs of a system Demonstrate an organized approach to solving any computer problem, especially hardware problems occurring during the boot Troubleshoot problems with the electrical system Troubleshoot problems with the motherboard, processor, and RAM Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 3  Cooling Methods and Devices If the processor, motherboard, memory modules, expansion cards, and other components overheat, the system can get unstable, and components can fail or be damaged Devices used to cool a system are CPU and case fans, coolers, heat sinks, and liquid cooling systems General rules to cool the inside of a computer case include the following: − Keep the case closed – an open case is a temporary fix to an overheating computer but should not be used long term − Clean the inside of the computer – Use a can of compressed air to blow clean the inside of the case and its components. − Move the computer to a cleaner and cooler area Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 4  Processor Coolers, Fans, and Heat Sinks Computer systems use a cooling assembly designed for a specific processor to keep temperatures below the processor maximum temperature Good processor coolers maintain a temperature of 90-110 degrees F (32-43 degrees C) The cooler sits on top of the processor and consists of a fan and heat sink − Heat sink uses fins that draw heat away from processor A cooler is made of aluminum, copper, or a combination of both. − Copper is more expensive but does a better job of conducting heat. The fan blows drawn heat away from CPU unit Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 5 Processor Coolers, Fans, and Heat Sinks Figure 4.1 A cooler sits on top of a processor to help keep it cool Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 6  Processor Coolers, Fans, and Heat Sinks To get its power, the cooler fan power cord connects to a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard The fan connector will have three or four holes. A three-hole connector can fit onto a 4-pin header; just ignore the last pin. If you use a cooler fan power cord with three pins, know that the fan will always operate at the same speed. Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7 Processor Coolers, Fans, and Heat Sinks Figure 4.3 A cooler fan gets its power from a 4-pin PWM header on the motherboard Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 8  Thermal Compound and Thermal Pads Thermal compound (thermal paste) transfers heat by completely filling the gap between the processor and the cooling device There are microscopic ridges on the surface of the contact plate on each component. The gel-like paste spreads in a thin layer to fill the gaps created by those ridges, removing air pockets that are inefficient at conducting heat. An alternative is a thermal pad, which is thicker than thermal compound and fills larger gaps better, but they still allow for air gaps. − They are more easily applied and are sized for the contact plate Never use thermal pads and thermal compound at the same time Never stack thermal pads together Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 9  Case Fans, Other Fans, and Heat Sinks (1 of 3) To prevent overheating, you can also install additional case fans Most cases have one or more positions on the case to hold a case fan − Large fans tend to perform better than small fans Some graphics (video) cards come with a fan − Fan cards can be mounted next to graphics cards ▪ Be sure to select a fan card that fits the expansion slot you plan to use A RAM cooler clips over the DIMM − It may be powered by a SATA or 4-pin Molex power connector Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 10 Case Fans, Other Fans, and Heat Sinks (2 of 3) Figure 4-4 Install a case fan on the rear of this case to help keep the system cool Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 11 Case Fans, Other Fans, and Heat Sinks (3 of 3) Figure 4-5 A PCI fan card by Vantec can be used next to a high-end graphics card to help keep it cool Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 12  Liquid Cooling Systems (1 of 2) Tend to run quieter than other cooling methods Used in high-powered systems − A small pump sits inside the case and tubes move liquid around components and then away from them to a place where fans cool the liquid − They might include a PCIe card that has a power supply, temperature sensor, and processor to control the cooler. − Used by hobbyists attempting to overclock a processor in a gaming computer Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 13  Liquid Cooling Systems (2 of 2) Figure 4-7 A liquid cooling system pumps liquid outside and away from components where fans can then cool the liquid Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 14  Selecting a Power Supply Reasons to replace a power supply include the following: − A power supply fails − A power supply in an existing system is not adequate When building a new system, you have the following options: − You can purchase a computer case with the power supply already installed − You can purchase a power supply separate from the case Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 15  Selecting a Power Supply Figure 4.8 This case comes with a power supply, power cord, and bag of screws Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 16 Types and Characteristics of Power Supplies (1 of 3) Important power supply feature considerations include the following: − The form factor determines the dimensions of the power supply and the placement of screw holes and slots − Wattage ratings for total output maximum load (listed in the documentation and the side of the power supply) − Number and type of power cables and connectors the unit provides − Fans inside the PSU – the fan may be mounted on the back or top of the PSU − Dual voltage options – a dual-voltage selector switch to switch input voltage in the range 110 to 120 V AC − Extra features – warranty and overall quality A redundant power supply (RPS) uses two identical power supplies Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 17 Types and Characteristics of Power Supplies (2 of 3) Figure 4-9 Consider the number and type of power connectors and the wattage ratings of a power supply Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 18 Types and Characteristics of Power Supplies (3 of 3) Figure 4-11 A redundant power supply uses two identical power supply units Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 19  How to Calculate Wattage Capacity When deciding what wattage capacity you need, consider the following: − The total wattage requirements of all components inside case − All USB devices that get power from ports connected to the motherboard Keep these two points in mind when selecting the correct wattage: − Video cards draw the most power − The power supply should be rated 30% higher than expected needs To know what size of power supply you need, add up the wattage requirements and add 30% Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 20  Knowledge Check Activity 4-1 What is a reasonable wattage capacity for a power supply to be used with a system that contains a DVD drive, three hard drives, and a high-end video card? a. 250 W b. 1000 W c. 700 W d. 150 W Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 21  Knowledge Check Activity 4-1 Devices Approximate Wattage Motherboard, processor, memory, 200–300 W keyboard, and mouse Fan 5W SATA hard drive 15–30 W BD/DVD/CD drive 20–30 W PCI video card 50 W PCI card (network card or another 20 W PCI card) PCIe ×16 video card 150–300 W PCIe ×16 card other than a video 100 W card Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 22  Knowledge Check Activity 4-1: Answer What is a reasonable wattage capacity for a power supply to be used with a system that contains a DVD drive, three hard drives, and a high-end video card? Answer: c. 700 W Use Table 4-2 to add up the approximate wattage: 300W + 30 W + (30 W × 3) = 470 W. Then add 30% to get 611 W. The closest answer that meets this requirement is 700 W. Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 23  Knowledge Check Activity 4-2 Which of the power supply will last longer and will not overheat? a. Power supply rated at 1000W and running at 500W b. Power supply rated at 750W and running at 500 W Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 24  Knowledge Check Activity 4-2: Answer Which of the power supply will last longer and will not overheat? Answer: a. Power supply rated at 1000W and running at 500W Power supplies that run at less than peak performance last longer and do not overheat. Also, do not worry about a high-rated power supply using too much electricity as components only draw what they require. Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 25  Strategies to Troubleshoot Any Computer Problem (1 of 3) Steps for troubleshooting include the following: − Interview the user and back up data before you make any changes to the system − Examine the system, analyze the problem, and make an initial determination of the source of the problem − Test your theory − After you know the source of the problem, plan what to do to fix the problem and then fix it − Verify that the problem is fixed, and that the system works. Take any preventive measures to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again. − Document activities, outcomes, and what you learned Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 26 Strategies to Troubleshoot Any Computer Problem (2 of 3) Figure 4-12 A general approach to problem solving Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 27  Strategies to Troubleshoot Any Computer Problem (3 of 3) Some troubleshooting resources include the following: − The web − Chat, forums, or email technical support − Manufacturer’s diagnostic software − User manuals − Technical associates in your organization There are 13 troubleshooting rules found throughout the next section Rule 1: Approach the Problem Systematically Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 28  Step 1: Interviewing the User and Backing Up Data (1 of 2) Here are some questions you can ask when interviewing the user – without accusing or dishonoring the user: − Can you describe the problem? What error messages, unusual displays or failures did you see? − When did the problem start? − What was the situation when the problem occurred? − What programs or software were you using? − What changes have been recently made to the system? − Has there been a recent thunderstorm or electrical problem? − Have you made any hardware, software, or configuration changes? Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 29  Step 1: Interviewing the User and Backing Up Data (2 of 2) As you talk with the user, keep in mind rules 2, 3, and 4: − Rule 2: Establish Your Priorities – e.g., data recovery − Rule 3: Beware of User Error − Rule 4: Keep Your Cool and Don’t Rush Be sure to back up any important data before you begin work on the computer Options to backup: − Use Explorer to copy the data to another system − Move the hard drive to another system − Hire a professional file recovery service Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 30 Step 2: Examining the System and Making Your Best Guess Rules 5 and 6 can help as you start solving the problem: − Rule 5: Make No Assumptions – do your own investigation − Rule 6: Try the Simple Things First – not all problems are complex Follow this process to form your best guess: − Reproduce the problem and observe for yourself what the user has described − Decide if the problem is hardware- or software-related − Make your best guess as to the source of the problem, and don’t forget to question the obvious Rule 7: Become a Researcher Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 31  Step 3: Testing Your Theory (1 of 4) As you test your theories, keep in mind rules 8 through 11: − Rule 8: Divide and Conquer ▪ Isolate the problem to a small part of the whole system − Rule 9: Write Things Down ▪ Draw diagrams and make lists − Rule 10: Don’t Assume the Worst ▪ E.g., data may still be recoverable. − Rule 11: Reboot and Start Over ▪ Fresh starts can uncover the events Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 32  Step 3: Testing Your Theory (2 of 4) Figure 4-16 Use this flowchart when first facing a computer problem Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 33  Step 3: Testing Your Theory (3 of 4) Figure 4-17 Search the Microsoft website for information about a BSOD error Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 34  Step 3: Testing Your Theory (4 of 4) Beeps During POST Description 1 short beep or no beep The computer passed all POST tests 1 long and 2 short beeps Award BIOS: A video problem, no video card, bad video memory Intel BIOS: A video problem Continuous short beeps Award BIOS: A memory error Intel BIOS: A loose card or short 1 long and 1 short beep Intel BIOS: Motherboard problem 1 long and 3 short beeps Intel BIOS: A video problem 3 long beeps Intel BIOS: A keyboard controller problem Continuous 2 short beeps and a Intel BIOS: A video card problem pause Continuous 3 short beeps and a Intel BIOS: A memory error pause 8 beeps followed by a system Intel BIOS: The system has overheated shutdown Continuous high and low beeps Intel BIOS: CPU problem Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 35  Step 4: Planning Your Solution and then Fixing the Problem (1 of 3) When planning and implementing your solution, keep rules 12 and 13 in mind: − Rule 12: Use the Least Invasive Solution First ▪ The system should return to normal working condition with least amount of changes − Rule 13: Know Your Starting Point ▪ Find out what works and what does not work before you attempt a fix Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 36  Step 4: Planning Your Solution and then Fixing the Problem (2 of 3) Do the following to plan your solution and fix the problem: − Consider different solutions and select the least invasive one − Before applying your solution, do your best to determine what works and doesn’t work in the system so you know your starting point − Fix the problem If you do not have technical documentation on hand, search the product manufacturers’ websites Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 37 Step 4: Planning Your Solution and then Fixing the Problem (3 of 3) Figure 4-19 Search manufacturer websites for help with a hardware or software product Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 38  Step 5: Verifying the Fix and Taking Preventative Action After fixing the problem, reboot the system and verify that all is well Can you do the following: − Reach the Internet? − Use the printer? − Use Microsoft Office? If possible, have the user check everything and verify that the job is done satisfactorily After verifying all is working, ask the following question: − Could this problem have been prevented? How? Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 39  Step 6: Documenting What Happened Good documentation helps you to do the following: − Take what you learned into the next troubleshooting situation − Train others − Develop effective preventative maintenance plans − Satisfy any audits or customer or employee queries about your work Be sure to include the following items in your documentation: − Initial symptoms − Source of the problem − Your troubleshooting steps − What you did to ultimately fix it Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 40  Troubleshooting the Electrical System (1 of 3) The following are possible symptoms of a problem with the electrical system: − The computer appears “dead” – no indicator lights and no spinning drive or fan − The computer sometimes locks up during booting − Error codes or beeps occur during booting – intermittent − You smell burnt parts or odors − The computer powers down at unexpected times − The computer appears dead, but you hear a whine coming from the power supply Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 41  Troubleshooting the Electrical System (2 of 3) Here are some questions to ask and things to do to solve a problem with the electrical system – try simple things first − If you smell any burnt parts or odors, don’t try to turn the system on. ▪ Identify the component that is fried and replace it. − When you first plug up power to a system and hear a whine, the power supply might be inadequate for the system or there might be a short − Is the power cord plugged in? − Is the power outlet controlled by a wall switch? − Are any cable connections loose? − Is the circuit breaker blown? Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 42  Troubleshooting the Electrical System (3 of 3) If you need to look inside the computer case turn off the computer, unplug it, press the power button to drain residual power, and open the case Next, do the following: − Check all power connections from the power supply to the motherboard and drives − If you smell burnt parts, carefully search for shorts and for frayed and burnt wires − If you suspect the power supply is bad, test it with a power supply tester Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 43  Problems That Come and Go (1 of 2) Symptoms that might indicate an intermittent problem with the electrical system after the boot include the following: − The computer stops or hangs for no reason − Memory errors appear intermittently − Data is written incorrectly to the hard drive or files are corrupted − The keyboard stops working at odd times − The motherboard fails or is damaged − The power supply overheats and becomes hot to the touch − The power supply fan whines and becomes very noisy or stops Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 44  Problems That Come and Go (2 of 2) Here is what to do to eliminate the electrical system as the source of an intermittent problem: − Consider the power supply is inadequate ▪ Data error occurs when all the devices work at the same time − Suspect the power supply is faulty ▪ Test it using either the power supply tester or a multimeter − The power supply fan might not work ▪ Do not operate the computer if the fan does not work Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 45  Power Problems with the Motherboard A short might occur if some component on the motherboard makes improper contact with the chassis For some cases, check for missing standoffs − A missing standoff most often causes these improper connections Shake the case gently and listen for loose screws Shorts in the circuits on the motherboard might also cause problems − Look for damage on the bottom of the motherboard Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 46  Problems with Overheating (1 of 7) Here are some symptoms of overheating: − System hangs or freezes at odd times or after the boot starts − Windows BSOD (blue screen of death) error occurs during the boot − You cannot hear a fan running or the fan makes a whining sound − You cannot feel air being pulled into or out of the case If you suspect overheating, go into BIOS/UEFI setup and view the temperature monitors for the system You can purchase a temperature sensor that will sound an alarm when the inside of the case is too hot Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 47  Problems with Overheating (2 of 7) Things to do to solve overheating include the following: − If system hangs, go into BIOS/UEFI setup and find the CPU screen that reports temperature (should not exceed that recommended by the CPU manufacturer) − Use compressed air, a blower, or antistatic vacuum to remove dust from the power supply and vents − Check airflow inside the case to see if fans are running (may need to replace a fan) − Install extra fans if case will hold them − Install a chassis air guide that guides air to the processor − To improve airflow, replace missing faceplates and expansion slot covers Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 48  Problems with Overheating (3 of 7) Figure 4-24 Use cable ties to hold cables out of the way of fans and airflow Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 49  Problems with Overheating (4 of 7) Things to do to solve overheating include the following (continued): − Place case so that there are a few inches of space on both sides and the top of the case − Verify the cooler is connected properly to the processor − After closing the case, leave system off for at least 30 minutes − Check UEFI/BIOS setup to see if the processor is being overclocked (can cause system to overheat) − Have too many peripherals been installed inside the case? Try to leave an empty slot between each card − Flash UEFI/BIOS to update firmware on motherboard − Replace thermal compound if it has hardened Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 50  Problems with Overheating (5 of 7) Figure 4-26 Vents and fans need to be arranged for best airflow Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 51  Problems with Overheating (6 of 7) This power supply has vents on the bottom to provide better airflow inside the case Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 52  Problems with Overheating (7 of 7) Use a chassis air guide to direct outside air over the cooler Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 53  Problems with Laptop Power Systems (1 of 2) A laptop can be powered by an AC adapter or a battery pack Today’s batteries use lithium ion technology Most AC adapters are capable of auto-switching from 110 V to 220 V AC power Some mobile users like to keep an extra battery on hand in case the first one uses up its charge Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 54  Problems with Laptop Power Systems (2 of 2) If power is not getting to the system or the battery indicator light is lit, do the following: − Verify the AC adapter is plugged into a live electrical outlet − Check if the AC adapter’s plug is secure in the outlet − Check connections on both sides of AC adapter transformer − Check the connection at the DC jack on the laptop If the battery is not charging when AC adapter is plugged in, the problem might be with the battery or the motherboard Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 55  Troubleshooting the Motherboard, Processor, and RAM (1 of 5) The following symptoms can indicate that a motherboard, processor, or memory is failing: − The system begins to boot but then powers down − An error message is displayed during the boot − The system reports less memory than installed − The system becomes unstable, hangs, or freezes − Intermittent Windows or hard drive errors occur − Components on the motherboard or devices connected to it don’t work Check the simple things first Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 56  Troubleshooting the Motherboard, Processor, and RAM (2 of 5) Follow these steps to find source of problem: 1. If an error message appears, google the error message 2. Run antivirus software to check for viruses 3. A memory module might be failing, use the Memory Diagnostic Tool to test memory 4. Check for potential hardware problems using Device Manager 5. Check Event Viewer logs for a record about a hardware or application problem 6. In Windows, download and install any Windows updates or patches 7. If problem began after a change or new install, uninstall device or application Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 57  Troubleshooting the Motherboard, Processor, and RAM (3 of 5) Follow these steps to find source of problem (continued): 8. Use the System Windows to find out how much RAM is installed (consider upgrading if not enough) 9. Check BIOS/UEFI setup to ensure proper settings 10. Disable any quick booting features in BIOS/UEFI ▪ Then look for errors reported during the boot 11. Flash BIOS/UEFI to update firmware on the board 12. Check the motherboard manufacturer’s website for diagnostic software 13. Update all drivers of motherboard components that are not working Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 58  Troubleshooting the Motherboard, Processor, and RAM (4 of 5) Follow these steps to find source of problem (continued): 14. If an onboard port or device is not working: ▪ Verify the problem is not with the device using the port ▪ Go into BIOS/UEFI setup and verify the port is enabled ▪ Check Device Manager and verify Windows recognizes device or port with no errors ▪ Update motherboard drivers for this device or port from manufacturer’s website ▪ Use a loop-back plug to test the port ▪ Disable the port in BIOS/UEFI setup and install an expansion card Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 59  Troubleshooting the Motherboard, Processor, and RAM (5 of 5) Follow these steps to find source of problem (continued): 15. Suspect the problem is a failing hard drive 16. Suspect the problem is caused by overheating 17. Verify the installed processor is supported by the motherboard Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 60  Windows Startup Repair Many continuous restart errors can be solved by performing a Startup Repair process The Startup Repair utility restores many of the Window’s files needed for a successful boot Follow these steps to run Startup Repair from the Windows setup USB drive or DVVD: 1. If necessary, change the boot priority order in BIOS/UEFI setup to boot first from the optical drive or USB drive 2. On the opening screen, select your language and click Next. On the next screen, click Repair your computer. Next, choose Troubleshoot ▪ On the Advanced Options screen, choose Startup Repair Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 61  Knowledge Check Activity 4-3 Someone asks you for help with a computer that hangs at odd times. You turn it on and work for about 15 minutes, and then the computer freezes and powers down. What do you do first? a. Replace the surge protector. b. Replace the power supply. c. Wait about 30 minutes for the system to cool down and try again. d. Install an additional fan. Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 62  Knowledge Check Activity 4-3: Answer Someone asks you for help with a computer that hangs at odd times. You turn it on and work for about 15 minutes, and then the computer freezes and powers down. What do you do first? Answer: c. Wait about 30 minutes for the system to cool down and try again. Given the computer symptoms described, you might suspect possible overheating. The first step is to get accurate temperature readings after cooldown and again later, when the system is overheated. Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 63  Summary Now that the lesson has ended, you should be able to: Describe the methods and devices for keeping a system cool Select a power supply to meet the power needs of a system Demonstrate an organized approach to solving any computer problem, especially hardware problems occurring during the boot Troubleshoot problems with the electrical system Troubleshoot problems with the motherboard, processor, and RAM Andrews/Shelton/Pierce, CompTIA A+ Guide To IT Technical Support, 11 Edition ©2023 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 64