Basic Troubleshooting – JSS1 Computer Hardware & GSM Repair Lesson Note (Second Term)

Troubleshooting is the step-by-step process of finding the cause of a fault in a device and fixing it.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define troubleshooting and state the golden rule.
2. List the steps for checking a computer that will not turn on.
3. Describe four simple checks for a phone that is not charging.
4. Match common faults to their likely causes and simple solutions.
5. State three warning signs that mean you must stop and call an adult or a professional.

What is troubleshooting?

Troubleshooting is a careful way of solving problems by testing simple fixes one at a time.

• Detective idea: you look at the clues (the problem) and try simple solutions one by one until the device works again.
• Golden rule: always check the easiest things first, because the fault is often something simple like a loose wire.
• Fault: the problem that stops a device from working properly.
• Symptom: what you can see or hear that shows there is a fault, such as a black screen.
• Cause: the reason the fault happens, such as a loose cable.
• Solution: the action that removes the fault.

What are the general steps of troubleshooting?

There are four general steps: identify the problem, find the likely cause, try the simplest fix, and test the device.

1. Identify the problem: note exactly what is wrong, for example “the screen is black”.
2. Find the likely cause: look at cables, sockets, lights and sounds.
3. Try the simplest fix first: change only one thing at a time.
4. Test the device: check whether the fault has gone. If not, try the next fix.

How do you fix a computer that is not booting?

A computer that is not booting is one that does not start up properly when you press the power button.

If the screen stays black after you press the power button, follow these steps:

1. Check the power cable: see if it is plugged into the wall and firmly into the back of the system unit. Someone may have tripped over the wire and loosened it.
2. Check the socket: the wall socket may be faulty. Plug a lamp or another device into the same socket to test it.
3. Listen for sounds: check whether the fans are spinning inside. Repeated beeps can point to a loose or dusty RAM (the memory the computer uses while working).
4. Check the monitor: look for the small light on the monitor. An orange light often means the monitor has power but is receiving no signal from the computer.
5. Ask for help: if the computer still does not start, tell your teacher or a technician.

Why is a phone not charging and how do you fix it?

A phone that is not charging usually has a dirty port, a bad cable, a faulty adapter or a frozen system.

Try these checks before you buy a new battery:

• Dirty charging port: pocket lint and dust collect inside the port where the charger plugs in.
  • Solution: switch off the phone, then gently blow into the port or clean it with a soft anti-static brush. Never use a metal pin.
• Faulty cable: USB cables often break inside, where the wire cannot be seen.
  • Solution: borrow a friend’s cable. If the phone charges, your cable is the problem.
• Faulty adapter: the “head” of the charger (the adapter) may be dead.
  • Solution: plug your cable into a laptop or a different charging block.
• Frozen software: the phone’s software may freeze and fail to start charging.
  • Solution: hold the power button to restart the phone.

What are common faults, causes and solutions?

The table below matches each common fault to its likely cause and a simple solution.

When should you stop troubleshooting?

You should stop troubleshooting and call an adult or a professional when there is a danger to you or to the device.

1. Smell of burning: if you smell smoke or “burnt plastic”, unplug the device immediately and tell an adult.
2. Sparking: if you see sparks from a wire or a socket, keep away and tell an adult at once.
3. Water damage: if the device fell into water, do not turn it on to “test” it. It needs to be dried by a professional.

Class practical activity

1. Simulation: the teacher slightly unplugs a monitor cable. Your job is to find out why the screen is not working.
2. Discussion: why should we never use a needle or metal object to clean a phone’s charging port?
   • Hint: metal conducts electricity and can cause a short circuit.

Evaluation

1. Define troubleshooting.
2. State the golden rule of troubleshooting.
3. List four things to check when a computer does not turn on.
4. Give two reasons why a phone may not charge, and a solution for each.
5. State two warning signs that mean you must stop troubleshooting.

Assignment

In your notebook, draw a table with three columns (problem, likely cause, simple solution). Fill in three faults from this lesson, one for a computer and two for a phone.