JH2304
INSTALL COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
Testing Procedures
1. Deciding When to Test the System. Identify computer symptoms and defects.
2. Preparing to Test the System. It’s recommended that you should not plug your computer and
monitor directly to a wall outlet. Rather, you should purchase a UPS (uninterruptible power supply).
The UPS serves as a surge protector to prevent your system from being damaged if a power spike is
delivered to it and when power fails unexpectedly. The UPS gives you time to save your work and
properly shut down your system. If a system is turned off and back on rapidly, it’s probably not good
for the system. A very short power drop could mimic this effect and could be hard on both the
computer and the monitor.
3. Powering Up the System for the First Time. Examining the back of the PC case, we see that there is a
switch with two positions, 0 and 1. Zero often means off, and one often means on in the computer
world. We turn the switch from 0 to 1 and push the power button again.
4. Adjusting BIOS Settings. To enter the BIOS setup, a key, such as delete, is usually pressed when the
system first starts up. Consult your mainboard manual if you want to learn more about BIOS setup.
5. Replacing the Side of the Case and Bezel. Now that your system is tested and we’ve visually seen
that the CPU fan is spinning properly, we can shut down the system and replace the side of the case.
6. Replacing the side of the case. This case side must be pushed toward the back of the case to engage
lugs on the case. Before closing the case, be sure no wires or cables are near the edges where they
might get pinched.
7. Screwing in the side of the case. Some cheaper cases have poorly tapped threads for the screws, so
use only minimal force to tighten the cover screws.
8. Closing the bezel. Here, the lip of the bezel hits the CD-RW drive and we need to gently lift the CD
drive to close the bezel. Don’t just slam the bezel to close it. Close it gently to be sure nothing
interferes with it closing.
It also saves wear and tear if you depress the front cover latch as you close it. Tilt the front of the
case upward to get a good grip on the latch.
9. Back of the side panel. If you have difficulty replacing the side of your case, examine it carefully to
see how the lugs engage the rest of the case.
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JH2304
Cable Trouble Shooting
Knowing simple troubleshooting techniques may help you correct some situations and continue working.
The main factors to keep in mind when troubleshooting are: do not panic, take a common sense approach,
and work from general to specific when addressing the problem.
A series of troubleshooting tips are listed below.
Hardware
Some computer systems have several power cables, often one for each component. Check each one and
make sure that the plug is completely plugged in.
1. Be sure that all cables are connected.
Computer systems usually have several cables associated with them that are used to connect the
peripherals to the main system. Check both ends of the cables and ensure they are securely plugged
into the correct location.
2. See to it that all components are switched on.
Most systems have components and peripherals attached to them, and quite often, each one has its
own power switch. All components must be switched on to establish communication between them.
3. The keyboard and mouse cables are snugly connected to their ports. The keyboard and mouse are
moved every time the computer is used they can work themselves loose over time. Check their
connections.
4. Watch out for power outages or electrical storms. Power outages and lightning strikes can damage
your system. If lightning has damaged your system, you very likely have a serious problem with some
components in the system. This is a good time to ask for assistance from someone who deals with
these types of problems regularly. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) should prevent any damage
from power outages and provide some lightning protection. But remember, nothing stops a direct
lightning hit. The best protection is completely unplugging the system from electrical outlets and
unplugging the modem connection.
5. Check if the network is operating and that the phone line is valid. Check the phone line or network
cable for a good connection if your computer is not communicating. If you have a dial-up
connection, pick up the phone and listen for a dial tone. If you are connected to a network, contact
your network administrator.
6. Shut the system down and restart. One of the great (and often frustrating) properties about
computers is that, in many cases, just turning the system off, waiting a minute, and then turning it
back on will correct the problem.
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JH2304
7. Ask for assistance. Your computer system is a significant investment and an important tool. Do not
let your pride keep you from asking for help when you need it. If you are not sure, ask!
References
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Duenas General Comprehensive High School. (n.d.)
Information and communication technology: Computer hardware servicing nc ii. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/41002360/Module_1_Installing_Computer_System_and_Networks
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