Upgrading And Repairing PCs 21st Edition: PC Diagnostics
-
Page 1:PC Diagnostics, Testing, And Maintenance
-
Page 2:The POST
-
Page 3:BIOS POST Beep Codes, Checkpoint Codes, And Onscreen Messages
-
Page 4:Peripheral And Operating System Diagnostics
-
Page 5:Commercial Diagnostics Software And Free/User Supported Diagnostics
-
Page 6:The Boot Process
-
Page 7:The Hardware Boot Process: Operating System Independent
-
Page 8:DOS And Windows 9x/Me Boot Processes And Windows 2000/XP Startup
-
Page 9:Windows 7/Vista And Windows 8 Startup
-
Page 10:PC Maintenance Tools
-
Page 11:Hand Tools Continued
-
Page 12:Safety
-
Page 13:Test Equipment: Electrical, Loopback Connectors, And Meters
-
Page 14:Test Equipment: Logic Probes, Outlet Testers, And Memory Module Testers
-
Page 15:Special Tools For The Enthusiast
-
Page 16:Preventative Maintenance
-
Page 17:Cleaning A System
-
Page 18:System Disassembly And Cleaning Procedures
-
Page 19:Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures
-
Page 20:Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures Continued
-
Page 21:Troubleshooting Tips And Techniques
-
Page 22:Troubleshooting: Replacing Parts And The Bootstrap Approach
-
Page 23:Problems During POST, Running Software, And Adapter Cards
Peripheral And Operating System Diagnostics
Peripheral Diagnostics
Many types of diagnostic software are used with specific hardware products. This software can be integrated into the hardware (or firmware), included on a disc with the hardware purchase, or available for download from the hardware manufacturer.
Many network interface adapters, for example, are equipped with their own diagnostics, designed to test their own specialized functions.
Operating System Diagnostics
When Windows encounters severe problems such as malware that corrupts or interferes with system operation, bugs in drivers or other low-level software, inconsistencies in data necessary for operation, or even hardware defects, the system is halted or shut down in a condition that is technically called a bug check. Bug checks are also known as stop errors, kernel errors, trap errors, fatal system errors, and system crashes, and because the error information is normally displayed on a blue text-mode screen, they are also informally known as blue-screen or BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) errors. When these errors occur, in addition to the blue-screen text, Windows normally saves a memory dump file and then automatically restarts the system.
Unfortunately, the automatic restart makes it almost impossible to read the blue-screen error text, so I recommend reconfiguring the system failure and recovery options in Windows to disable the automatic restart. To do this manually, select Start, and in either the Run or Start Search dialog box that appears, enter the text sysdm.cpl, and click OK. In the System Properties window, select the Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery, Settings, System Failure; then uncheck the Automatically Restart box. Alternatively, to accomplish the same thing, you can change the setting directly by entering the following command in either the Start, Run box or at a command prompt:
wmic recoveros set AutoReboot = False
With the automatic restart disabled, if a blue-screen error occurs you will be able to view (and record) the text on the screen before restarting the system. When you’re looking at blue-screen errors, the hexadecimal number following the word STOP is called the bug check or stop error code, and it indicates the cause of the problem. For more information, Microsoft has provided a detailed list of bug check codes, along with explanations and troubleshooting information.
Although the bug check (stop error) code by itself is very useful, in many cases it would be helpful to have even more information. By using the Debugging Tools for Windows, you can examine the memory dump file created when the stop error occurred and find a great deal more information about exactly what might have caused the crash. For information on where to get the Debugging Tools for Windows, as well as how to use them, see the MSKB article “How to Read the Small Memory Dump Files That Windows Creates for Debugging”.
- Stop errors can be caused by hardware errors (such as memory problems), malware, or even improper hardware or software configuration. For general troubleshooting of Windows bug check (stop error/blue screen) codes, I recommend you follow these suggestions:
- If any hardware was recently installed in the system, try removing it.
- If any software was recently installed, try uninstalling it.
- If any drivers, updates, or hotfixes were recently installed, try rolling back, removing, or updating them.
- Ensure that the system is free from malware such as viruses, rootkits, and spyware/adware.
- Check with the motherboard manufacturer to see if an updated BIOS is available.
- Make sure that the processor, expansion cards, memory modules, and so on are fully seated.
- Make sure that all cables are fully connected.
- Make sure that the operating system has the latest service pack and critical updates installed.
- Check the System Log and Application Log in the Windows Event Viewer to see if any additional error messages have been logged recently. For more information on the Event Viewer, see the documentation for either Windows XP or Windows 7 and Windows 8.
- PC Diagnostics, Testing, And Maintenance
- The POST
- BIOS POST Beep Codes, Checkpoint Codes, And Onscreen Messages
- Peripheral And Operating System Diagnostics
- Commercial Diagnostics Software And Free/User Supported Diagnostics
- The Boot Process
- The Hardware Boot Process: Operating System Independent
- DOS And Windows 9x/Me Boot Processes And Windows 2000/XP Startup
- Windows 7/Vista And Windows 8 Startup
- PC Maintenance Tools
- Hand Tools Continued
- Safety
- Test Equipment: Electrical, Loopback Connectors, And Meters
- Test Equipment: Logic Probes, Outlet Testers, And Memory Module Testers
- Special Tools For The Enthusiast
- Preventative Maintenance
- Cleaning A System
- System Disassembly And Cleaning Procedures
- Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures
- Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures Continued
- Troubleshooting Tips And Techniques
- Troubleshooting: Replacing Parts And The Bootstrap Approach
- Problems During POST, Running Software, And Adapter Cards