TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE

System restore is system utility provided by Microsoft Windows, which can be used to recover the
windows faults or errors. While operating Windows, if a serious error occurs then, you can restore the
data by using ‘system restore’ option.

To Create a System Repair Disc

• Open backup and restore option from ‘Control Panel’ .

• Click on create system repair disc
• System repair point will be created.

For reinstalling the windows, a ‘System Image’ can be used as a copy of drive. A system restore image
can be used anytime for restoring the windows if the hard disk or Windows operating system stops
working. System restore option can be used for the complete restoration of the system.

‘System Restore’ option can be used to restore the system to a point where the current setting of the
system was running. You can actually restore your system to an earlier point by using the systems
restore point, which was created in your system by default. The restore point is always created
automatically for the events such as Windows update etc.

To Restore System Files and Settings use a Recommended Restore Point:

1. Click to open ‘system restore’.

2. If prompted enter the password and username for authentication.

3. Choose the recommended restore point.

4. Review the restore point and click ‘OK’.

Limitations and Complications

Some documents in specific areas on the system volume are checked. Doing this undesirable
programming and particularly set-up programming updates may not be completely returned by
‘System Restore’.
Control Panel

System and Security

To set and change System and Security settings. System settings include:

• Action Center System

• Windows Update
• Power Options
• Backup and Restore
• Administrative Tools

User Accounts

To create, maintain, and delete user accounts.

This category includes:

• User Accounts
• Windows CardSpace
• Credential Manager
• Mail (32-bit)

Network and Internet

To change the network and Internet settings such as creating new network group or joining an existing
network group, adding new Internet connection or removing an existing one. This category includes
Internet access, Network and Sharing Center , Homegroup and Internet Options.

Appearance and Personalization

To change the wall paper, screensaver, Folder options etc.

This category includes:

• Personalization
• Display
• Desktop Gadgets
• Taskbar and Start Menu
• Ease of Access Center
• Folder Options
• Fonts

Hardware and Sound

To add or remove hardware devices and to change sound settings. This category includes:

• Devices and Printers

• AutoPlay
• Sound
• Power Options
• Display
 • Windows Mobility Center.

Clock, Language, and Region

To change clock, date and region settings. This category includes:

• Date and Time

• Region and Language

Programs

To uninstall programs or Windows features, uninstall gadgets, get new programs from the network or
online.This category includes:

Programs and Features

• Default Programs
• Desktop Gadgets

Ease of Access

To adjust your computer settings for vision, hearing, and mobility and use speech recognition to
control your computer with voice commands. This category includes:

• Ease of Access Center

• Speech Recognition

Troubleshooting of Monitor

If your monitor is not working or not getting power, then first check the monitor is ON. Then verify
the power switch is ON and also check the monitor is power saving or sleeping mode. In case it is not
getting on then check it whether all peripherals are connected or not.

Printer Troubleshooting

There are lot of printers available in the market and the reason why printers may not print vary.

• If your printer is not printing, then first check the printer cable is attached with your computer
or not and, also check your printer is ON. In case the printer you are using is a network printer,
then check whether it is accessible in your network.Next you try to update the printer driver.
• Load the paper in case your printer is not having papers on printer tray.Printers may have
more than one tray, load the paper accordingly and take print outs.
• Also, check is there any paper jam in the printer, if yes, then clear the paper jam and restart
the printer.
• To test printer is working properly, open ‘Control Panel’ → ‘Devices and Printers’.It will display
devices and printers attached to your computer.Now right click on your printer name and
choose ‘Printer Properties’. Printer Properties dialog box will be displayed. Choose ‘Print Test
Page’.

CD Troubleshooting
 In case, if you have inserted any CD or DVD on the drive, and it is not working: Remove CD /DVD from
your Computer, insert it again and check.

• Verify whether the CD is placed properly.

• Verify whether the CD can be used on the CD drive of an alternate machine.
• Verify whether the CD is scratched or grimy.
• Verify whether the CD is a CD-R or CD-RW that was copied.

Keyboard Troubleshooting

If your keyboard is not responding, then try the following:

• First, check the keyboard cable is connected properly.

• Connect the keyboard into a different USB port.
• Disconnect your keyboard, clean it with dry cotton cloth.Connect it again and check keyboard
is getting power.

Mouse Troubleshooting

If your mouse is not responding, then try the following:

• First check the mouse cable is connected properly.

• Connect the mouse into the different USB port.
• Disconnect your mouse, clean it with dry cotton cloth.

Networking Troubleshooting

• If you are unable to connect the network, then:

• Check to see if the network cable is plugged, if not then plug it.
• Check to see if the light is blinking when the network cable is plugged.
• Check to see if username, password and domain are entered correctly.
• Re-enter new username, password and domain and try again.
• If you still get an error message, then check the login credentials on other PCs, if it works
correctly then the problem is solved.

Video Troubleshooting

If you get a black screen on your Personal Computer, then check:

• Whether monitor’s light is on, if on, then check your screen’s brightness. If your screen’s
brightness is turned down, then turn it up.
• The power cord is unplugged, then plug the power cable.

Sound Troubleshooting

• If you are unable to hear any sound from your computer system then:
• In case, if you are using external speakers, then connect them at the back of the computer in
the audio port.
• Check to see if the speakers are turned on, if not then turn them on.
• Check to see if the volume is turned up, if not, then turn it up. Also check whether the speaker
is mute, if yes then unmute it.

Try unplugging and re-plugging the speaker again.

No Power

• If the computer doesn’t power up at all, Reset the BIOS first and try.
• If still it does not power up, disconnect all the peripherals and wire harnesses, except
processor and power supply, then try to switch it on from the motherboard’s front panel
connector.
• If still it does not power up, change the power supply and try.
• If still it does not power up, remove the motherboard with processor from casing and lay it on
antistatic surface and plug a power supply and again try.
• If same problem still exists, replace the processor and try again.
• If even this does not solve the problem, the motherboard itself is faulty.

Software Troubleshooting

Keep Updated

One general guideline to remember while carrying out programming related troubleshooting is to
verify whether you have the latest adaptations of your applications, drivers and working framework.
Additionally, install good anti-virus software which automatically scans and cleans your computer as
and when required. To keep the updated software, you should look for and download ‘Application
Patches’. Recently launched applications may have bugs. When the application developer gets to
know about some bugs in the application, he/she develops and posts patches, fixes, and
administration packs on its site to rectify the same. When you have programs that contain bugs, check
the site of your product maker; they may have posted the fix you require. You should download the
patch(es) and install them on your computer.

Preliminary Measures

When you have an issue with a Windows machine, the first thing you need to do is to restart the
machine. Reinstall If a specific program/software starts working in an unexpected manner and is not
working properly, even after a few attempts, reinstalling the particular program/ software is required.
Before re-installing a software, you have to uninstall it (through control panel).

Eliminate Troublesome Programs

If you notice that consistent problems began after you installed a particular software, then uninstall
and re-install the software. If the problems again arise then either uninstall the software permanently
(if you think that the software is unnecessary) or contact the software developer to get the issue
resolved.

Defragmenting the Hard Drive

After a machine has been utilized for some time, the files on the hard disk get fragmented. We don’t
get to know about this fragmentation because we always get the correct data from the files. But
fragmentation slows down the performance of the hard drive. Therefore, we should periodically
defragment our hard disks. Defragmentation software is usually supplied as a utility with the operating
system.

Formatting Your Hard Disk (HD)

In the extreme situation, you may need to format your hard disk, and reinstall your operating system,
drivers, and programs from scratch. This is the situation when machines have been hit by specific sorts
of weakening infections, or in circumstances where all other repair endeavours have fizzled. When
you format your HD, ‘EVERYTHING WILL BE PERMANENTLY’ deleted.

Network Troubleshooting

Pinging

Ping command is used to check the reachability of the host on an Internet protocol. i.e., to verify that
computer can communicate with other computers (devices) on the network. It displays the time taken
for the hop to connect, the number of packets received, the number of packets lost, and the number
of packets sent.

Traceroute

Traceroute is a command used by a computer network administrator to check the number of hops
and if the packet is being lost or the internet connection is unable to be established. As the command
suggests, it traces the route completely and checks each and every hop of the route.

Ifconfig

Ifconfig is a system administration tool used for the configuration of interface mostly in Unix like
architecture. By using this command, a user can configure each and every interface connected to the
hardware whether it is input/ output interface.

Netstat

Netstat command also known as the network statistics command is used to display the network
connections for transmission of packets. It also displays the routing table with complete network
protocol statistics.

Testing Speed

The broadband speed of the internet connection can be tested easily with various applications such
as speedtest.net .It tracks and displays the number of hops, the upload speed and the download
speed. It works for both symmetric and asymmetric internet connections.

Indications of Commonly Found Problems

The following are some of the most well-known PC issues that are accounted by the customers and
users:

Computer Won’t Turn On

One of the most commonly seen errors is ‘PC not starting up’. When you start your computer, it might
not be starting up. Now you need to check your computer’s power cable first. If the power cable is
properly plugged, then you have to check system’s power supply. If there is no power, then 90%
chances are that your power supply is not working fine. If the power supply is there, and your monitor
is on, then take out the RAM, clean it and plug it into your system’s motherboard. Now, the system
will start if there is no major hardware failure.

“404”/“Page Not Found”

Error during Internet Browsing You may get this error because the requested page is not available on
the server. Sometimes, this error will be solved by refreshing the page or ensuring the correct spelling
of the web page or open the page from some other machine.If you are the owner of the website, then
contact your hosting provider to solve.

Abnormally Functioning Operating System or Software

Sometimes your operating system or software is not working or responding properly, then restart your
machine and scan for virus in your system. If virus is found in your system, delete the virus. To prevent
this, install antivirus software in your system.

Strange Noises

Sometimes your system makes strange noise due to hard drive problem or fan may be making noise.
In this case first check CPU fan and case fan are working properly. If not, replace them. If hard drives
makes noise, backup your data otherwise you may lose your data.

Secure Your System

Computer system security guarantees that your machine does what is desired. It secures the data
from being lost or altered either intentionally or unintentionally. Also, it ensures that no unauthorized
person can access your data. Encryption Most tools encrypt the information kept in the secret word
document. Encryption guarantees that even if the data could be accessed by unknown means, the
intruder won’t have the capacity to peruse the passwords in the document; they will look like babble.
Most tools perform one-way encryption of passwords.

Data Access:

In the event that you work alone on a PC, you don’t have to stress over access controls. When you
start to work on a system that supports various clients, you will need to be careful over information
security and access controls. You may not need each client to have the capacity to read your records.
A small flaw in the network can result in major financial damage or loss of sensitive data. Network
security consists of authorization of data access in network. Users are assigned authenticating
information which permits them access to information and programs based on permissions. Firewall
enforces access policies for e.g., services which are allowed for accessing by network users. Intrusion
Detection and Prevention system helps in detecting such intrusions.Networks are prone to attacks
from malicious sources.

Network attacks can be of two types; ‘Passive’ and ‘Active’. Tools are to be used for preventing the
intrusion on networks.

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