🖥️ PC Troubleshooting Manual
When a computer has problems (slow speed, crashes, no internet, boot failure, etc.), there are
three main ways to troubleshoot:
1. System Tools (built into Windows)
2. Command Prompt Utilities (text-based commands)
3. Other Troubleshooting Methods (physical checks, recovery, antivirus, etc.)
This manual explains all in a simple and practical way.
🔹 1. SYSTEM TOOLS FOR TROUBLESHOOTING
Task Manager
• Definition: Monitors running apps, processes, and system performance.
• How to Launch: Ctrl + Shift + Esc OR right-click taskbar → Task Manager.
• How It Helps:
o Detect unresponsive programs (shows “Not Responding”).
o Force-close apps.
o Check CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network usage.
• Tabs & Uses:
o Processes → See active apps and usage.
o Performance → Real-time CPU, memory, disk, and network graphs.
o App History → Resource usage by apps.
o Startup → Enable/disable startup apps.
o Users → Shows which users are active.
o Details → Advanced view of processes.
o Services → Start/stop background services.
Resource Monitor
• Definition: Detailed view of system resources.
• How to Launch: In Task Manager → Performance tab → “Open Resource Monitor” OR
type resmon in Run.
• How It Helps:
o Monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in detail.
o Detect processes consuming too many resources.
• Tabs:
o Overview → Summary of usage.
o CPU → See per-process CPU activity.
o Memory → See RAM allocation.
o Disk → Monitor read/write speeds.
o Network → Check which apps are using the internet.
Performance Monitor
• Definition: Tracks performance using counters over time.
• How to Launch: Type perfmon in Run.
• How It Helps:
o Create performance reports.
o Identify long-term issues (e.g., memory leaks).
• Main Sections:
o Performance Monitor → Live tracking with counters.
o Data Collector Sets → Create custom monitoring sets.
o Reports → Save performance logs.
Event Viewer
• Definition: Logs all system events (errors, warnings, info).
• How to Launch: Type eventvwr in Run.
• How It Helps:
o Diagnose crashes, blue screens (BSOD), and app errors.
o Check security and login attempts.
• Main Logs:
o Application → App crashes or errors.
o System → Hardware/driver issues.
o Security → Login attempts and audits.
Device Manager
• Definition: Manages hardware and drivers.
• How to Launch: Type devmgmt.msc in Run.
• How It Helps:
o Fix hardware conflicts.
o Update, disable, or uninstall drivers.
• Key Troubleshooting:
o Yellow icon → driver/hardware issue.
o Right-click → Update driver or check properties.
Disk Management
• Definition: Manages hard drives and partitions.
• How to Launch: Right-click Start → Disk Management OR type diskmgmt.msc.
• How It Helps:
o Create, delete, or format partitions.
o Assign/change drive letters.
o Check if disk is healthy or corrupted.
🔹 2. COMMAND PROMPT UTILITIES
• SFC (System File Checker) → sfc /scannow repairs corrupted/missing system files.
• CHKDSK → chkdsk C: /f /r scans and repairs disk errors and bad sectors.
• DISM → DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth repairs Windows system
image.
• Network Commands:
o ipconfig /flushdns → Fixes DNS issues.
o ping google.com → Tests internet connection.
• Bootrec Commands (in Recovery mode):
o bootrec /fixmbr → Repairs Master Boot Record.
o bootrec /fixboot → Fixes boot issues.
🔹 3. OTHER TROUBLESHOOTING METHODS
• Basic Physical Checks → Cables, power, dust, overheating, hardware seating.
• Restart & Safe Mode → Restart clears glitches; Safe Mode loads only essentials.
• BIOS/UEFI Diagnostics → Test RAM, CPU, and disk at boot.
• Windows Recovery Options:
o System Restore → Roll back to working state.
o Startup Repair → Fixes boot issues.
o Reset this PC → Reinstall Windows.
• Driver & Software Management → Update/remove faulty drivers/apps.
• Antivirus & Malware Scan → Use Windows Defender or Malwarebytes.
• External Tools → Boot from Linux USB or manufacturer’s diagnostic tools.
🔹 4. QUICK TROUBLESHOOTING CHECKLIST
Problem What to Try First
PC is slow Task Manager → End tasks → Run CHKDSK
Apps crash often Run sfc /scannow → Update drivers
No internet Run ipconfig /flushdns → Restart router
PC won’t boot Bootrec commands → Startup Repair
Overheating/noise Clean dust → Check fans
Blue Screen (BSOD) Event Viewer logs → Update drivers → Run memory test
Virus suspected Run antivirus → Malwarebytes
In summary:
• System Tools → Monitor & fix drivers, performance, and logs.
• CMD Utilities → Repair files, disks, network, and boot.
• Other Methods → Physical checks, Safe Mode, recovery, antivirus.
With these, most PC problems can be solved without advanced tools.
