Hardware Checklist
The Information Technology Services Helpdesk |
Phone: X7-5898 | helpdesk@ase.tufts.edu
The Quick Check List:
If your Computer is not functioning properly check the items on this list first:
-
Ensure the PC is plugged in to a power supply source and turned on (make sure
all components are on: the monitor, the printer)
-
Look for any loose or damaged cables and cords that attach to your computer.
** Note
... as with all electronic equipment, be
wary of the electrical hazards ... It is not wise to open up the computer unless
you know what you are doing. There is a risk of electrical shock, and a fairly
high risk of damaging the electronic components inside the PC.
-
Make sure that all of your floppy drives are empty (normally all floppy drives
should be empty when booting the computer, unless you want to boot the computer
from a floppy disk)
-
If on a network, check with other users of the network in your vicinity to see
if their PC's or Mac's are functioning normally. Often a downed network can
cause a variety of errors when running applications. The problem may not be
with your machine, but with the network.
-
If all of the above seems to be fine, try turning off the computer completely
and restart it (cold booting). Sometimes this is enough to reset the software
and network connections and get the machine back to working order.
Almost all PC's will have an occasional problem. The occasional
"fault" or "hang", if recovered from with no further problem, is not a concern. It is when
the problem occurs fairly often that repairs may need to be done.
Reoccurring problems should be attended to by your FSP. When a problem reoccurs,
note what you were doing when things went awry; what application you were using
and what you were working on. It is often the case that a problem resides with
a specific application or file and this information may help your FSP repair
the problem. Also, note any changes made to the computer system shortly before
or at the time the problems began to occur. At times, installing a new
application, adding a new peripheral, or otherwise altering the configuration
of the computer can cause problems in seemingly unrelated areas.
For any problems that this does not help you with, contact your FSP at the ITS HelpDesk at 617-627-75898
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