gwendes
24-05-2006, 02:33 PM
Sometimes the cause of a problem can be something very simple. All too often we need to book a computer in to resolve a basic issue like a loose cable that can be quickly and easily rectified by the user.
Here are some basic checks that you can do yourself. Opening your computer will not invalidate any warranty providing that you do not cause damage yourself.
These are for general guidance and are to be used alongside common sense. If a hard drive or optical drive is not detected then it is a good idea to check that it has both a data cable and power cable, if your new RAM is not detected it is a good idea to check that it is correctly installed.
Locate the screws or thumbscrews on the back of your computer. These secure the left-hand side panel. Unscrew and slide the panel off to your left.
http://www.metku.net/mods/screws/f1.jpg
This is a heatsink fan:
http://www.heatsink-guide.com/hs_amd_hammer_foxconn.jpg
You should check that this component is secure, not raised or unclipped on any edge. Gently try to move the heatsink, it should feel solid. Commonly your computer will shut itself down or overheat (high BIOS CPU temperatures) if this component is installed incorrectly. If you have installed the heatsink yourself ensure that you have the correct amount of thermal compound applied between the CPU and surface.
This is the back of a CD/DVD drive:
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/dvd1.JPG
This has very similar connections to a hard drive. All of these devices require both the wide 'ribbon' cable (IDE) and power connector to be plugged in and secure. If either cable is loose or disconnected you will need to resecure. This can cause a boot failure or any drive to not be detected if they are not plugged in.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/dvd2.JPG
Memory:
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/ram1.JPG
You need to ensure that memory is secure in the slot. Make sure that the memory you are installing or checking is the correct configuration for the slot. You should have a click when installing and the levers on both sides should fall into the notches on the RAM DIMM. If there is any problem with the memory the system will alert you with a bleep code or may report the memory size incorrectly on POST (power on self-test) or in Windows.
SATA hard drive:
This is what the SATA ports look like on the motherboard with SATA cables plugged in:
http://secure.idg.com.au/images/pcw/sata_plugged_in.jpg
and the connectors on an MSI motherboard:
http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/articles/2004/1346/925XNeo_SATA.jpg
and into a hard drive (this shows the new power connector, you can also use the old style 'molex' power connector if you need to on some drives. Never use BOTH):
http://www.seagate.com/content/images/marketing/D2c27_sata_drive.gif
Generally keep the inside of the case as neat and tidy as possible. Cables that have come out or are loose may be more difficult to spot if cables are everywhere! Keep the case clean and avoid installing components that are not properly secured with screws, rails or clips.
Here are some basic checks that you can do yourself. Opening your computer will not invalidate any warranty providing that you do not cause damage yourself.
These are for general guidance and are to be used alongside common sense. If a hard drive or optical drive is not detected then it is a good idea to check that it has both a data cable and power cable, if your new RAM is not detected it is a good idea to check that it is correctly installed.
Locate the screws or thumbscrews on the back of your computer. These secure the left-hand side panel. Unscrew and slide the panel off to your left.
http://www.metku.net/mods/screws/f1.jpg
This is a heatsink fan:
http://www.heatsink-guide.com/hs_amd_hammer_foxconn.jpg
You should check that this component is secure, not raised or unclipped on any edge. Gently try to move the heatsink, it should feel solid. Commonly your computer will shut itself down or overheat (high BIOS CPU temperatures) if this component is installed incorrectly. If you have installed the heatsink yourself ensure that you have the correct amount of thermal compound applied between the CPU and surface.
This is the back of a CD/DVD drive:
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/dvd1.JPG
This has very similar connections to a hard drive. All of these devices require both the wide 'ribbon' cable (IDE) and power connector to be plugged in and secure. If either cable is loose or disconnected you will need to resecure. This can cause a boot failure or any drive to not be detected if they are not plugged in.
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/dvd2.JPG
Memory:
http://forum.novatech.co.uk/files/ram1.JPG
You need to ensure that memory is secure in the slot. Make sure that the memory you are installing or checking is the correct configuration for the slot. You should have a click when installing and the levers on both sides should fall into the notches on the RAM DIMM. If there is any problem with the memory the system will alert you with a bleep code or may report the memory size incorrectly on POST (power on self-test) or in Windows.
SATA hard drive:
This is what the SATA ports look like on the motherboard with SATA cables plugged in:
http://secure.idg.com.au/images/pcw/sata_plugged_in.jpg
and the connectors on an MSI motherboard:
http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/articles/2004/1346/925XNeo_SATA.jpg
and into a hard drive (this shows the new power connector, you can also use the old style 'molex' power connector if you need to on some drives. Never use BOTH):
http://www.seagate.com/content/images/marketing/D2c27_sata_drive.gif
Generally keep the inside of the case as neat and tidy as possible. Cables that have come out or are loose may be more difficult to spot if cables are everywhere! Keep the case clean and avoid installing components that are not properly secured with screws, rails or clips.