| Here is a small collection of our most common problems with the solutions that will normally help.  Hardware / Software issues - PC troubleshooting tips
 No Power to PC
Power but no display on starting up Cannot hear some or any sounds Cannot hear or record from a microphone Unable to print (parallel port printer) Unable to print (USB printer) Cannot read a floppy disk Joystick not controlling games Cannot read from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM The computer seems to be randomly crashing Advanced Power Management features are not functioning or causing errors Modem drops the connection / Broadband down Reports ‘Non system disk’ on starting up Noisy CD-ROM / DVD drive Noisy PC Cannot hear CD audio No Power to PC
• Check the fuse in the power cable.
• Is there power to the monitor?
• Try the monitor power cable to the PC instead.
• Try holding the power button in for a number of seconds.
• Disconnect from the mains for a few minutes and then retry.
• Try powering up without anything other than the mains connected to the PC.
• Test the mains supply with another electrical appliance.
• If confident, consult an Sort IT technician for advice on checking that all cabling and components inside the machine are secure.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Power but no display on starting up
• Whilst turning on hold down the BIOS bypass key if supported- (usually this is the DEL key).
• If the PC emits a series of beeps on powering up check motherboard information for the alarm explanation. Alarms normally suggest that a component has come loose inside. If confident, consult an Sort IT Systems technician for advice on re-seating internal cards, CPU and memory.
• If an additional component has been added, get the system back to as it was when previously working by removing it and then retry.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Cannot hear some or any sounds
• Check that the speakers volume control is raised and that there is power to them.
• Are the speakers plugged into the speaker / line out socket of the sound card? Try the speakers in all possible sound sockets.
• Double click the speaker/mixer symbol next to the clock and check that all volume controls are raised, selected and not muted. Balance controls should all be centered. If the symbol is not present, click Start | Programs | Accessories | Entertainment and choose Volume Control from the list.
• Try the speakers from another audio device or from the front of the CD ROM (play an audio CD).
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Cannot hear or record from a microphone
• Double click the speaker/mixer symbol next to the clock and check that the microphone playback and recording controls are raised, selected and not muted. If the symbol is not present, click Start | Programs | Accessories | Entertainment and choose Volume Control from the list.
• Check that the microphone is plugged into the sound cards ‘mic’ socket and not the modem (if present). Try all sound sockets.
• If possible, try another microphone. Microphones of 650 ohms are recommended for Creative Labs soundcards/chips.
• Test the microphone with another audio device.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Unable to print (parallel port printer)
• Check that the cable connection between the printer and the computer is secure.
• Ensure that there is power to the printer, restart the PC and try printing again.
• Check that the correct printer is selected in the software being printed from.
• Does the printer perform a self-test? Check the printer manual for information and further specific trouble- shooting procedures.
• Has the printer software been installed as described in the printer instruction manual? Try reinstalling this.
• Go to CMOS setup and check that the parallel port mode is set correctly for your printer- usually EPP or ECP.
• Some printers require an IEEE 1284 standard printer cable to enable bi-directional communication. Does your printer manual state this as a requirement?
• Are any other devices connected to the parallel (printer) port? Uninstall these, connect the printer directly and test.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Unable to print (USB printer)
• Check that the cable connection between the printer and the computer is secure.
• Ensure that there is power to the printer, restart the PC and try printing again. • Check that the correct printer is selected in the software being printed from.
• Does the printer perform a self-test? Check the printer manual for information and further specific trouble- shooting procedures.
• Has the printer software been installed as described in the printer instruction manual? Try reinstalling this.
• Click Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click on the System icon in the Control Panel. Select the Device Manager tab. Are there any USB or Other Devices listed or devices with a conflict? Conflicts are indicated by coloured symbols next to the device.
• If using the printer off a USB hub, try it off the USB ports on the machine (known as the root hub).
• If using the printer on a motherboard's USB port make sure the USB port is enabled in the BIOS and that any filter driver (VIA chipsets), that may be required, has been loaded.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Cannot read floppy
• Check with another floppy disk.
• Is the disk inserted all of the way into the drive? The eject button will pop out when fully inserted.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Joystick not controlling games
• Ensure the joystick is connected firmly to the game port. If another device is connected to the game port, remove it and try the joystick plugged in directly.
• Click Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click Game Controllers (Windows98). Ensure one joystick is listed and the status is 'Connected' (use the Add and Remove buttons to get to this situation). Refer to the joystick manual for the correct model to be installed or try as a standard 2 axis 2 button.
• With the joystick listed as 'Connected' choose Properties and click the Test tab. Check that the screen responds to the joystick.
• Ensure that the game itself is set to use a joystick as the input device. Refer to the game documentation for specific information on how to set this up.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
Cannot read from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
• Click Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click on System. Choose the Device manager tab and check for conflicts (indicated by a coloured symbol). Click the Performance tab and check that it reports ‘Your system is configured for optimal performance’.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
The computer seems to be randomly crashing
• Is there any particular operation that seems to make it crash e.g. printing, using modem, using a certain piece of software, when the PC is inactive? If so, try reinstalling the associated components.
• Are there any conflicts reported in device manager ? - Click Start | Settings | Control Panel and then double click on the System icon. Choose the Device Manager tab. Conflicts are indicated by coloured symbols next to the device.
• Run Scandisk and Disk Defragmenter by clicking Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools.
• Are any programs constantly running in the background e.g. virus protectors? – try uninstalling any of these or press CTRL-ALT-Delete on the keyboard for a list of currently running programs.
• Consult an Sort IT technician for further info! Back to top of FAQ's
Back to top of Hardware / Software Issues
| 
08448 04 25 94
