Information and Communication Thechnology.

Unit 4 : Troubleshooting Basics 

PC is a modular device. Its components are easily separable. This makes the troubleshooting easier. Most of the troubleshooting is just defect the faulty device and replaces with a good one. Among all the troubleshooting ways, there are some rules. These riles are discussed in this unit.

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Lesson 1 : Troubleshooting Approaches 

1.1. Learning Objectives On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe: 

 Troubleshooting steps 

 Approaches for fault detection. 

1.2. Introduction 

Microcomputer system has three main components. Any problem to troubleshoot may come from any of the three sides. The main components are: 

 Hardware 

 Software 

 Human ware. 

The main steps to troubleshoot a microcomputer are: 

 Identify the source of the problem: Here the cause of the problem i.e., the faulty component (any component of hardware, software or human ware) is detected. 

 Troubleshoot the problem: Here the problem is removed by repairing or replacing the faulty component. 

1.3. Two Approaches for Fault Detection 

The most important job of troubleshooting is finding the source of the problem. After detecting the faulty device, the rest of the work is very simple: just try to repair the faulty device and if repairing is very difficult or impossible, then replace the device with a good one. There are two main approaches to detect the faulty device. 

1.3.1. Hardware Approach
Hardware generally refers to the machine or physical equipmentthat performs the basic functions of the data processing cycle. In addition to the computer itself, other hardware devices are also required. These devices may be off-line that is detached from the computer and operating independently or they may be on-line that is directly connected to and controlled by the computer. A printer is an off line device and a keyboard is an on-line device. When hardware is used as the tool for fault detection, then this approach is called hardware approach.
For example, one way of the hardware approaches for troubleshooting may be:
 Separate probable faulty devices from the troubling PC.
 Install each of the devices in a well-running PC.
 If the well-running PC shows trouble for any of the probable faulty devices, then the troubling device in the well-running PC is the faulty one. As the well-running PC is used here as the fault-detecting tool, this approach is hardware approach.