General Problems
Keyboard Problems?If you are getting an error message of failure of the keyboard, always troubleshoot the keyboard itself first. Is the keyboard properly plugged in?
Examine the keyboard controller chip. If it looks damaged, you may need to replace the chip or the whole motherboard. If yours is socketed, first press down on the chip to make sure it is firmly seated.
CMOS Problems?In very rare situations, you may need to clear the CMOS. Sometimes, you have set a password for the setup program of for the boot process and have forgotten. Sometimes, you have set the BIOS to settings that screw up the computer so that you can't fix it. In the case of the lost password, first try to remember it. Give yourself a couple days if you have to. Clearing the CMOS erases all settings you had. You will need to configure the computer again. In some cases, this is no big deal. To others, its a nightmare.
There are ways to clear CMOS. Many newer boards have a jumper just for clearing it. It should be documented in the manual. You flip the jumper, then put it back and the CMOS is gone, hopefully. When doing this, make sure the system is unplugged so that all voltage to the motherboard is gone. The long way is to remove the system battery. If yours is removable, take it out and wait a few hours, then come back, put it back in, and reboot. If your battery is not removable, then you will need to call the manufacturer for brand-specific procedures.
System Loses Time, Settings, or gives Dead Battery errors.This one's easy...the battery is dead! Replace it.
Battery Only Works SometimesSometimes the battery works fine. Then, sometimes you get errors, or your setting are gone and the computer forgets what time it is. In many cases, this is because the battery is getting low and is losing voltage. It could also be a bad connection between the battery and the motherboard.
System forgets the timeSometimes it works fine but just can't remember what time it is. It is very annoying. Once again, this is due to the battery getting weak. It isn't weak enough to lose the BIOS settings yet, but it will be if left alone. Some systems are designed to disable the clock when the battery voltage is low in order to conserve power.
I can't figure out how to get into setup!Every computer is different on what key combination will take you into it's setup program. It a factor of what BIOS version and maker you have. But, immediately after booting the machine, look on the screen for the keys to hit. In many cases this info is at the bottom of the screen. It will say Press "X" to enter Setup or something like that where "X" is the key(s) to hit.
I changed the CMOS settings and it doesn't show!When exiting the CMOS setup after changing settings, make sure you choose Save and Exit to leave. Choosing Exit Without Saving my accident will cause you to have this problem.
The motherboard is cracked!Well, unfortunately, this means you will have to buy a new board. You can't repair it. To prevent it in the future, make sure the motherboard has plenty of support to prevent flexing. And be careful when pressing cards into the board.
There's a bent pin on the board!If its just bent, carefully bend it back with pliers and the power turned off and unplugged. If its actually broken, there is nothing you can do. You will have to buy a new board, or if it still works, live with it.
The ZIF socket is stuck!These sockets become stuck with the same CPU after many years. It is possible to remove it, but you risk breaking the socket. First, rock the lever back and forth a bit. It might loosen. Apply gentle pressure. Don't force it!
My cache is broken!The cache may be bad. Try narrowing it down by disabling it in the BIOS. If your problem stop, then the cache is to blame. If this isn't it, then make sure it is the right kind of cache, if you added it yourself. Is the cache inserted in the slot correctly? Check to see if you bumped anything else out of place when installing the cache. I installed a Pentium Overdrive, and the cache broke!Sometimes, installing an Overdrive processor can result in the secondary cache being disabled. This is usually caused by a BIOS that is not compatible with the Overdrive processor.
What is the Device Manager?
The device manager is a tool that lets you view their hardware devices.
What is it used for?
The device manager has many different uses including: hardware troubleshooting, updating drivers, viewing hardware properties, finding device names and other information regarding your hardware.
How can I open the Device Manager?
1. Go to your desktop, right click My Computer, and left click Properties.Then for Windows XP and 2000 Users, left click the Hardware tab and then left click the Device Manager button.Then for Windows 9.x & ME users, left click the Device Manager tab.
2. Device Manager Errors
Device manager is used to help the user locate hardware problems. These are identified by an exclamation mark, a blue "i", a red X, or an "Other" device.
1. Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow explanation mark this is an indication that the device is not configured correctly.
2. Blue "i" - this indicates that a plug and play device cannot be configured without your intervention.
3. Red X - This is an indication that the device has been disabled by the user, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device. It could also suggest that there are no resource conflicts, but that it isn't working.
4. Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.
How can I see my hardware (default view)?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Devices by Type.
3. Expand whatever list you want.
How can I see the different IRQs?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.Expand the IRQ list.
How can I see the memory addresses?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.
General Problems
Keyboard Problems?If you are getting an error message of failure of the keyboard, always troubleshoot the keyboard itself first. Is the keyboard properly plugged in?
Examine the keyboard controller chip. If it looks damaged, you may need to replace the chip or the whole motherboard. If yours is socketed, first press down on the chip to make sure it is firmly seated.
CMOS Problems?In very rare situations, you may need to clear the CMOS. Sometimes, you have set a password for the setup program of for the boot process and have forgotten. Sometimes, you have set the BIOS to settings that screw up the computer so that you can't fix it. In the case of the lost password, first try to remember it. Give yourself a couple days if you have to. Clearing the CMOS erases all settings you had. You will need to configure the computer again. In some cases, this is no big deal. To others, its a nightmare.
There are ways to clear CMOS. Many newer boards have a jumper just for clearing it. It should be documented in the manual. You flip the jumper, then put it back and the CMOS is gone, hopefully. When doing this, make sure the system is unplugged so that all voltage to the motherboard is gone. The long way is to remove the system battery. If yours is removable, take it out and wait a few hours, then come back, put it back in, and reboot. If your battery is not removable, then you will need to call the manufacturer for brand-specific procedures.
System Loses Time, Settings, or gives Dead Battery errors.This one's easy...the battery is dead! Replace it.
Battery Only Works SometimesSometimes the battery works fine. Then, sometimes you get errors, or your setting are gone and the computer forgets what time it is. In many cases, this is because the battery is getting low and is losing voltage. It could also be a bad connection between the battery and the motherboard.
System forgets the timeSometimes it works fine but just can't remember what time it is. It is very annoying. Once again, this is due to the battery getting weak. It isn't weak enough to lose the BIOS settings yet, but it will be if left alone. Some systems are designed to disable the clock when the battery voltage is low in order to conserve power.
I can't figure out how to get into setup!Every computer is different on what key combination will take you into it's setup program. It a factor of what BIOS version and maker you have. But, immediately after booting the machine, look on the screen for the keys to hit. In many cases this info is at the bottom of the screen. It will say Press "X" to enter Setup or something like that where "X" is the key(s) to hit.
I changed the CMOS settings and it doesn't show!When exiting the CMOS setup after changing settings, make sure you choose Save and Exit to leave. Choosing Exit Without Saving my accident will cause you to have this problem.
The motherboard is cracked!Well, unfortunately, this means you will have to buy a new board. You can't repair it. To prevent it in the future, make sure the motherboard has plenty of support to prevent flexing. And be careful when pressing cards into the board.
There's a bent pin on the board!If its just bent, carefully bend it back with pliers and the power turned off and unplugged. If its actually broken, there is nothing you can do. You will have to buy a new board, or if it still works, live with it.
The ZIF socket is stuck!These sockets become stuck with the same CPU after many years. It is possible to remove it, but you risk breaking the socket. First, rock the lever back and forth a bit. It might loosen. Apply gentle pressure. Don't force it!
My cache is broken!The cache may be bad. Try narrowing it down by disabling it in the BIOS. If your problem stop, then the cache is to blame. If this isn't it, then make sure it is the right kind of cache, if you added it yourself. Is the cache inserted in the slot correctly? Check to see if you bumped anything else out of place when installing the cache. I installed a Pentium Overdrive, and the cache broke!Sometimes, installing an Overdrive processor can result in the secondary cache being disabled. This is usually caused by a BIOS that is not compatible with the Overdrive processor.
What is the Device Manager?
The device manager is a tool that lets you view their hardware devices.
What is it used for?
The device manager has many different uses including: hardware troubleshooting, updating drivers, viewing hardware properties, finding device names and other information regarding your hardware.
How can I open the Device Manager?
1. Go to your desktop, right click My Computer, and left click Properties.Then for Windows XP and 2000 Users, left click the Hardware tab and then left click the Device Manager button.Then for Windows 9.x & ME users, left click the Device Manager tab.
2. Device Manager Errors
Device manager is used to help the user locate hardware problems. These are identified by an exclamation mark, a blue "i", a red X, or an "Other" device.
1. Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow explanation mark this is an indication that the device is not configured correctly.
2. Blue "i" - this indicates that a plug and play device cannot be configured without your intervention.
3. Red X - This is an indication that the device has been disabled by the user, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device. It could also suggest that there are no resource conflicts, but that it isn't working.
4. Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.
How can I see my hardware (default view)?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Devices by Type.
3. Expand whatever list you want.
How can I see the different IRQs?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.Expand the IRQ list.
How can I see the memory addresses?
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.
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