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Hardware Related Problems and Upgrades

Basics | Hardware Problems  | Software Problems

  • Cursor moves too fast/skips/won't move/vanishes
    1. Go to Control Panel and adjust the mouse settings
    2. Plug mouse into the back of PC more firmly
    3. Clean mouse (as detailed in the "Basics" section)
    4. Check for IRQ conflicts...Win95, Control Panel/System /Device Manager. Win3.x, Control Panel, check individually. Usually found assigned to IRQ12.
    5. Reinstall mouse driver
    6. Win95: Go to Control Panel/System, remove the mouse, then restart the system to allow Win95 to detect/reinstall it
    7. Replace mouse
  • Printer Won't Print
    1. Verify printer is turned on
    2. Check/adjust Print Setup options in the software you're using
    3. If acts like printing but page is blank, check print cartridge to see if it needs replacing or reseating
    4. Attempt to print from another program
    5. Reboot system and printer
    6. Check that printer cable is plugged in firmly
    7. Reinstall print driver
    8. Check for IRQ conflicts...Win95, Control Panel/System /Device Manager. Win3.x, Control Panel, check individually. Often assigned to IRQ7.
    9. Win95: In Control Panel/System, remove printer, reboot, and allow Win95 to redetect it
    10. Replace printer cable
    11. Visit manufacturer's website for assistance
  • Modem won't dial/connect
    1. Pick up handset and verify your phone has dial tone
    2. Check settings/options in your internet software
    3. Reboot system
    4. Check that cables are connected firmly
    5. Verify modem cable plugged into "line" jack and not into the "phone" jack
    6. Replace modem cable
    7. Check with your internet provider for correct modem string
    8. Reinstall modem software (driver)
    9. Check for IRQ conflicts. Win95: Control Panel/System Device Manager. Win3.x: Control Panel, check individually. You'll usually see modems assigned to IRQ 3 or 4.
    10. Win95: Control Panel/System, Device Manager, remove modem from list and restart system. Allow Win95 to redetect it.
    11. Internal Modem: Pull modem card up and out of the slot. Reseat it firmly.
    12. Visit manufacturer's website for assistance.
  • No sounds
    1. Verify that the speakers are turned on
    2. Adjust volume on speakers
    3. (Win95)Click speaker icon on your taskbar; adjust volume
    4. (Win95)Go to Control Panel under Sounds and be sure the sounds are enabled (have speakers next to them)
    5. Verify all wires are plugged in firmly
    6. Verify all wires are seated in the correct plugs on speakers and back of computer
    7. Check for IRQ conflicts: Win95: Control Panel/System/ Device Manager, Win3.x, Control Panel. Sound card should be assigned to IRQ5
    8. Reinstall sound drivers
    9. Open PC; remove and reseat sound card
    10. Win95: Control Panel/System/Device Manager, remove the sound card from the list and reboot. Allow Win95 to redetect it.
    11. Visit computer or sound card manufacturer's website for assistance
  • Other sounds are ok, but CD-rom doesn't play
    1. Adjust volume on front of CD-Rom
    2. Try a different CD-Rom disc
    3. Reboot system
    4. Reinstall CD-Rom driver
    5. Win95: Control Panel/System/Device Manager, check for conflicts. Win3.x, check each device separately in Control Panel for IRQ (Interrupt) Settings.
    6. Win95: Control Panel/System/Device Manager, remove CD-Rom from the list. Reboot and allow Win95 to redetect it.
    7. Open PC and ensure that cables are all seated firmly.
    8. Replace ribbon cable
    9. Visit manufacturer's website for assistance.

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    Upgrade Help

    Many upgrade chores can be done easily by the "average joe". Since repair places can charge $30 and up for installation, it can save you a bundle if you learn to install things on your own.

    Some common items you can install yourself:

    • Software
    • Memory
    • Modem
    • Cd-Rom
    • Sound Card
    Installing hardware isn't hard, really! Try it once, and you'll gain confidence. New items come with installation instructions, and most manufacturers have websites where you can get free assistance. Below you'll find some general tips for installing the items I mentioned earlier. Happy Upgrading!

    • Software: See the section above: Using New Programs
    • Memory
      1. Check your computer manual to determine the type, and amount, of memory that your system requires.
      2. Turn off and unplug PC. Open Case.
      3. Before touching the memory chip or reaching inside the case, be SURE to ground yourself by touching a metal object. ( Otherwise you risk frying a circuit.)
      4. If you are replacing old memory, remove it by pulling firmly up and out of the socket. Rock chip back and forth if needed but be careful.
      5. Insert new memory by lining up the gold connector pins with the socket. Push firmly down until most of gold pins are no longer visible. Rock the card while seating if needed but do so cautiously.
      6. Plug PC back in and start it up.
      7. Verify that the new memory is being recognized by watching the memory message during boot up, in Win95 by checking under Control Panel/System/Performance, or in Win3.x by checking under Program Manager/Help/About Windows (or go to DOS prompt and type MEM).
      8. Sometimes memory isn't automatically recognized. Adjust the settings manually if necessary through the computer BIOS. Restart your computer and press F8, F1, or whatever your manual states, during the boot process to enter the BIOS configuration. Make needed changes and Save.
      9. If it still isn't recognized, reseat the memory chip and verify that it is the right type.
      10. Oten memory must be installed in equal amounts, such as 2 4 meg simm chips instead of a 6 meg and a 2 meg chip.
      11. Still no go? Call the store where the memory was bought, or visit the manufacturer's website for assistance.
    • Modem For External Modems:
      1. Use computer manual to determine the correct type for your system
      2. Turn PC off
      3. Plug your phone line from the wall into the input jack on the modem
      4. Plug output cable from modem into back of your PC
      5. Plug power cord from back of modem into wall
      6. Turn modem power on
      7. Start up PC
      8. Install modem software and reboot system
      9. Change your internet and other dial-up software settings to support the new modem
      10. Test modem
      11. If modem does not work at this point, See Modem Help
      For Internal Modems:
      1. Check your manual for info on appropriate modem card
      2. Turn off and unplug PC. Open Case.
      3. Before touching the modem card or reaching inside the case, be SURE to ground yourself by touching a metal object. ( Otherwise you risk frying a circuit.)
      4. If you are replacing an existing modem, remove it by Taking out the screws holding the card onto the rear bay, then pull the card firmly up and out of the socket. Rock chip back and forth if needed but be careful.
      5. Insert new modem by lining up the gold connector pins with the socket, and the jacks with the rear bay. Push firmly down until most of gold pins are no longer visible. Rock the card while seating if needed but do so cautiously. Screw into place on rear bay.
      6. Start up PC.
      7. Install modem software and reboot system.
      8. Change your internet and other dial-up software settings to support the new modem.
      9. Test modem.
      10. If modem does not work at this point, See Modem Help.
    • CD-Rom
      1. Check to be sure you have an available "bay" (look for empty space with grooves top and bottom of it on front of your PC). li>Turn off and unplug PC. Open Case.
      2. Before touching anything inside the case, be SURE to ground yourself by touching a metal object. ( Otherwise you risk frying a circuit.)
      3. If you are replacing an existing CD-Rom, remove it by unplugging the ribbon cables from the back, removing the screws holding it in the bay, then sliding it out of the bay.
      4. Slide new CD-Rom into the bay. Screw into place (it's helpful to only partially tighten screws until they are all in place to be sure it lines up correctly, THEN tighten them all down.)
      5. Insert adapter card into motherboard as directed.
      6. Connect ribbon cables to back of CD-Rom, being careful to seat pin 1 (the side whose cabling edge is a different color)in the right direction (usually towards the power supply, check the directions).
      7. Connect cabling from CD-Rom to power supply, motherboard/ adapter card, and (possibly)to your sound card.
      8. Start up PC.
      9. Install CD-Rom software drivers and reboot system.
      10. If Cd-Rom does not work at this point, See CD-Rom Help.
    • Sound Card
      1. Verify that you have an avaialable port in the rear of your system for a sound card.
      2. Turn off and unplug PC. Open Case.
      3. Before touching the sound card or reaching inside the case, be SURE to ground yourself by touching a metal object. ( Otherwise you risk frying a circuit.)
      4. If you are replacing an old card, remove it by first unscrewing from rear bay, then pulling firmly up and out of the socket. Rock back and forth if needed but be careful.
      5. Insert card by lining up the gold connector pins with the socket. Push firmly down until most of gold pins are no longer visible. Rock the card while seating if needed but do so cautiously. Screw into rear bay.
      6. Plug speakers into rear of PC into jack provided on sound card. Plug into power source and turn speakers on.
      7. Plug PC back in and start it up.
      8. Install the software drivers. Restart system.
      9. If no sounds are heard, go to Sounds Help.

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