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Computer Maintenance
Tasks and programs that are necessary for proper computer upkeep including Scandisk and Defrag
1,519 Questions
Changing or 'shorting' a jumper on the motherboard to reset the bios what is a 'jumper'?
A jumper is a small metal and plastic device used to complete circuits on the motherboard by 'shorting' pins. The BIOS reset jumper is one example.
Bootmgr is installed by default onto your system.
Once you create a bootable partition on your hard drive, you should be given the option right there to enable it.
What is unauthorised access to computer systems and services?
Unauthorized access, you can be tagged as a hacker or simply as a malicious person trying to access others computer system.
Some country can punished you in this petty crime.
There is now a such law for Cyber crimes.
Hope my answer helped you.
How do i fix iTunes error 48-?
To fix it, simply find your iTunes folder (located in My Documents > My Music, in my case), right click the folder's icon and choose 'Properties'. From here, click 'Advanced' and make sure that Fast indexing is switched off for the folder. Also, make sure that in the main properties dialog box, 'Read only' is completely unchecked.
What are the four main parts of the boot process?
Post, loading the OS, the OS initializing itself, and loading and executing an application. D"MF"J The boot process: 1. The CPU activates the basic input/output system (BIOS) (pronounced "bye-OSE"). BIOS is the program that manages the data between the operating system and all the input and output devices attached to the system, hence its name. BIOS is also responsible for loading the OS from its permanent location on the hard drive into RAM. 2. BIOS conducts a power-on self-test (POST) to check that all attached devices are in place and in working order. 3. BIOS loads the operating system from the hard drive to RAM. 4. The registry is checked for futher configurations and customizations. If everything has checked out and is loaded properly, the destop appears on the monitor, and the system is ready to accept your first command.
What is the black window that pops up when you first log on to a computer?
If you are talking about a PC, the PC may be running some processes in Command Prompt to set up your account. If it is doing this every time you log in to that account, that is not normal.
What make a crt monitor to fade out?
When the get old, that just happens, and I don't know of any way to fix it permanently.
I know this sounds terrible, but the only way I can get them to brighten for a while is to whack (not to hard) the top or right side of the CRT.
***DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK!!*** (and the crt's)
How long should a disk surface scan chkdsk slash r take on a 320GB drive?
Depending on the issues encountered, and disk speed, it may take many hours.
What is relationship between hardware and software in OSI?
software is the mind that tells the mechanical parts which are the hardware on how to proceed and perform.
What is the definition of system unit?
A system unit, also known as a S.U., is the main unit of a personal computer, typically consisting of a metal or plastic enclosure containing the motherboard, power supply, cooling fans, internal disk drives, and the memory modules and expansion cards that are plugged into the motherboard.
Why would your computer shut down only 20 minutes after you start it?
A common cause for shutdowns is the CPU overheating. Check the fan to make sure it isn't spinning slow or seized, and that there is no dust in the heat sink. You can also check that the heat sink compound (the paste between the fan and heatsink) hasn't broken down.
Or your power supply could be going bad. It gets hot and then shuts down. It might also be a bad power supply fan, that is the power supply might not be getting hot because of a problem with the power supply but because the fan isn't cooling it properly.
Also, check for bad capacitors on your motherboard. Capacitors are small, cylinder-like things with an aluminum top, with some type of molding or lines on the aluminum. There are many ways to find out if you have bad capacitors:
1. A brown, crusty substance on the capacitor or motherboard
2. The capacitor is swelling
3. The capacitor "venting"
4. Signs of overheating
5. A pop, with a hiss after it coming from your computer, or even a small explosion
6. Capacitor blows off its casing
If any of these symptoms appear, repair the motherboard ASAP. Power supplies also have some capacitors, but it is strongly recommended to avoid these unless you discharge them first because they can still have a charge in them, which could be deadly.
How do I monitor all of Windows' activity?
Is there any type of console that I can watch Windows' activity? My pc randomly freezes and I want to pinpoint what is happening when it occurs. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!
First you go into device manager and roll back the driver
What is Disk defragmenter and other features of windows?
Windows have several features, including:
Disk defragmenter - A program used in windows designed to increase the speed of the hard drive by rearranging files stored on a disk.
Mspaint - A painting program you can use to paint drawings and edit images.
Windows movie maker - A program you can use to make and edit movie files.
Is formatting a laptop possible if bios is password protected?
This depends on the kind of BIOS protection, and the other BIOS settings. The BIOS is not actually on the harddrive, so this is potentially possible.
If the BIOS is only protected from changes to it's settings, then you can try booting to removable media (CD, DVD, Flashdrive, etc.) which has the option to format a drive, and format it from there. OS install disks usually have this option, as well as boot disks like UBCD and Bart PE.
If the BIOS is protecting the system from booting up, then you will probably need to remove the harddrive and plug it into another computer to complete this task. There should be no password prompt once it is in the other computer.
IF the BIOS protection is locking the actual harddrive, then you will probably need to clear the password first. If you do not know the password, then you will need to try to break in (assuming is is actually your computer). This can be difficult, but there are programs which can make it easier. One such program is on the UBCD.
Check the battery. After that check for a poorly grounded motherboard. This is a possibility especially if it was home built.
How much dose a web cost to make one?
If you are talking about a website, some are free like freewebs.com others can cost about 3 bucks a month Most web-hosting is free as the person above said, but the only cost would be for the domain. You can buy a domain or rent one. If you use a sub-domain, it usually is free, as it is not a .com , .org , .net with what you want but example.bravehost.com .
Nice question! Additionally a subject that i have probed into before. Some people will in reality declare one had better be careful on what one asks in these respects.
What software can be used to defragment a harddrive?
Hard drive defragmentation is not difficult, and there is software available for this task for any operating system. Windows includes as part of the operating system "Disk Defragmenter" (in Accessories/System Tools); there are also free third-party tools available like Auslogics Disk Defrag, MyDefrag, and Defraggler. The Macintosh operating system has basic defragmentation routines which run automatically, but should you wish you can purchase Disc Warrier or iDefrag.
How to stop the Dell inspison loading an infinite number of times?
I can't tell what you are asking. Can you please explain your problem?
Perhaps you have a virus. So the simple solutions are get rid of the virus that restarts your computer or unplug/turn off your computer and it will stop loading up.
Why does none of my computer's ports work?
You either have a power supply problem, or if the ports are coming straight off of the motherboard, which they normally are then you obviously have a motherboard problem. Part of it could have shorted out and the only thing you can really do is replace it.
How good was the performance on the old computers?
The average home computer was moderately fast but the parts inside were fairly large and there were cables and stuff everywhere inside making it harder for the motherboard to receive and send data to different components in the computer. The Eniac was a computer monster used in WWII couldn't do much but it was a jump in the technology that helped us get to where we are today.
What are Multimeters that would work well in a computer repair environment?
One simple test you can perform on a power supply is to check the output voltages. This shows whether a power supply is operating correctly and whether the output voltages are within the correct tolerance range. Note that you must measure all voltages with the power supply connected to a proper load, which usually means testing while the power supply is still installed in the system and connected to the motherboard and peripheral devices.
Selecting a MeterYou need a simple digital multimeter (DMM) or digital volt-ohm meter (DVOM) to perform voltage and resistance checks on electronic circuits (see Figure 3.17). You should use only a DMM instead of the older needle-type multimeters because the older meters work by injecting 9v into the circuit when measuring resistance, which damages most computer circuits.
Figure 3.17 A typical DMM.
A DMM uses a much smaller voltage (usually 1.5v) when making resistance measurements, which is safe for electronic equipment. You can get a good DMM with many features from several sources. I prefer the small, pocket-size meters for computer work because they are easy to carry around.
Some features to look for in a good DMM are as follows:
Pocket size. This is self-explanatory, but small meters are available that have many, if not all, of the features of larger ones. The elaborate features found on some of the larger meters are not really necessary for computer work.
Overload protection. This means that if you plug the meter into a voltage or current beyond the meter's capability to measure, the meter protects itself from damage. Cheaper meters lack this protection and can easily be damaged by reading current or voltage values that are too high.
Autoranging. This means that the meter automatically selects the proper voltage or resistance range when making measurements. This is preferable to the manual range selection; however, really good meters offer both autoranging capability and a manual range override.
Detachable probe leads. The leads easily can be damaged, and sometimes a variety of differently shaped probes are required for different tests. Cheaper meters have the leads permanently attached, which means you cannot easily replace them. Look for a meter with detachable leads that plug into the meter.
Audible continuity test. Although you can use the ohm scale for testing continuity (0ohms indicates continuity), a continuity test function causes the meter to produce a beep noise when continuity exists between the meter test leads. By using the sound, you quickly can test cable assemblies and other items for continuity. After you use this feature, you will never want to use the ohms display for this purpose again.
Automatic power off. These meters run on batteries, and the batteries can easily be worn down if the meter is accidentally left on. Good meters have an automatic shutoff that turns off the unit when it senses no readings for a predetermined period of time.
Automatic display hold. This feature enables you to hold the last stable reading on the display even after the reading is taken. This is especially useful if you are trying to work in a difficult-to-reach area single-handedly.
Minimum and maximum trap. This feature enables the meter to trap the lowest and highest readings in memory and hold them for later display, which is especially useful if you have readings that are fluctuating too quickly to see on the display.
Although you can get a basic pocket DMM for as little as $20, one with all these features is priced in the $100-$200 range. Radio Shack carries some nice inexpensive units, and you can purchase the high-end models from electronics supply houses, such as Newark or Digi-Key.
Measuring VoltageTo measure voltages on a system that is operating, you must use a technique called back probing on the connectors (see Figure 3.18). You cannot disconnect any of the connectors while the system is running, so you must measure with everything connected. Nearly all the connectors you need to probe have openings in the back where the wires enter the connector. The meter probes are narrow enough to fit into the connector alongside the wire and make contact with the metal terminal inside. The technique is called back probing because you are probing the connector from the back. You must use this back-probing technique to perform virtually all the following measurements.
Figure 3.18 Back probing the power supply connectors.
To test a power supply for proper output, check the voltage at the Power_Good pin (P8-1 on AT, Baby-AT, and LPX supplies; pin 8 on the ATX-type connector) for +3v to +6v of power. If the measurement is not within this range, the system never sees the Power_Good signal and therefore does not start or run properly. In most cases, the power supply is bad and must be replaced.
Continue by measuring the voltage ranges of the pins on the motherboard and drive power connectors. If you are measuring voltages for testing purposes, any reading within 10% of the specified voltage is considered acceptable, although most manufacturers of high-quality power supplies specify a tighter 5% tolerance. For ATX power supplies, the specification requires that voltages must be within 5% of the rating, except for the 3.3v current, which must be within 4%. The following table shows the voltage ranges within these tolerances.
Loose Tolerance
Tight Tolerance
Desired Voltage
Min. (-10%)
Max. (+8%)
Min. (-5%)
Max. (+5%)
+3.3V
2.97V
3.63V
3.135
3.465
+/-5.0V
4.5V
5.4V
4.75
5.25
+/-12.0V
10.8V
12.9V
11.4
12.6
The Power_Good signal has tolerances that are different from the other voltages, although it is nominally +5v in most systems. The trigger point for Power_Good is about +2.4v, but most systems require the signal voltage to be within the tolerances listed here:
Signal
Minimum
Maximum
Power_Good (+5V)
3.0V
6.0V
Replace the power supply if the voltages you measure are out of these ranges. Again, it is worth noting that any and all power supply tests and measurements must be made with the power supply properly loaded, which usually means it must be installed in a system and the system must be running.
Specialized Test EquipmentYou can use several types of specialized test gear to test power supplies more effectively. Because the power supply is one of the most failure-prone items in PCs today, you should have these specialized items if you service many PC systems.
Digital Infrared ThermometerOne of the greatest additions to my toolbox is a digital infrared thermometer. They also are called noncontact thermometers because they measure by sensing infrared energy without having to touch the item they are reading. This enables me to make instant spot checks of the temperature of a chip, a board, or the system chassis. They are available from companies such as Raytek (http://www.raytek.com) for under $100. To use these handheld items, you point at an object and then pull the trigger. Within seconds, the display shows a temperature readout. These devices are invaluable in checking to ensure your system is adequately cooled.
