Computer Repair DIY How-To Troubleshooting Guide - Hardware Series - Part 1

Frequently a system that will not power-up may havetest this by taking a known working appliance such as
inadvertently become unplugged or possibly a cablea lamp and testing the actual receptacle that the
may have become loose.  The following checklist iscomputer is plugged into to make sure that it is actually
intended to eliminate a power connection orworking.
disconnected cable as the cause for a system not6. If you see a power light or other L.E.D.'s on the
powering up.computer case lighting up but the monitor is not
1. Check to be sure that all power switches are in theshowing a display then you may not have power to
on position. Check the back of the computer case.the monitor or the video cable may have become
Many times there will be a power switch on the backdisconnected.  Make sure that the power cable to the
of the computer near the spot where the power cablemonitor is firmly plugged into the back of the monitor.
attaches to the computer.  Be sure that it is in theTrace the power cable from the monitor back to the
correct position.receptacle and be sure that it is connected to a live
2. Check to see that the voltage switch is setoutlet.
correctly. In the U.S. it should be set to 110v/115v.  You7. Check to see if the monitor video cable is secured
will find the voltage switch located on the powerto the back of the monitor and that the other end is
supply, which is normally located on the back of thesecurely attached to the video port on the computer.
computer also near the power cord.8. Still no luck? Try unplugging and re-plugging all cables.
3. Make sure that the power cord to the computer isRemove all cables from computer including power,
plugged securely into the back of the computer.monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, network, and any
4. For laptops make sure that the transformer isother attached devices. Make sure that you know
plugged into the laptop securely.where the cables go back again! If not, label them.
5. Trace the power cord from the computer back to9. Now re-plug all the cords and cables and try
the receptacle in the power strip or wall and makepowering up again.
sure that the receptacle is actually ‘hot'.  You can