PC Repairs - How to Troubleshoot and Repair Hardware Problems

PC Repairs are one thing that causes people to cringe. This article will focus on how to troubleshoot and repair many of the hardware issues or conflicts that you may experience.

Have you ever had a device not work or get that annoying yellow question mark on your printer or new digital camera you just bought. For the novice and even intermediate computer user these pc repairs can be the most stressful and daunting. Hardware conflicts are the leading reason why people take their computer in for pc repairs. However, there are some tricks which can allow you to complete pc repairs on your own and avoid costly repairs.

• What is a device driver
• How to troubleshoot device driver issues
• The easiest way to install device drivers
• How to fix 90% of device drivers issues without taking your computer in. This advice is invaluable and could save you hundreds if not thousands in pc repairs.
• Where on the internet to find the proper device drivers when you don’t have them
• When to take in your computer to get the issue resolved

3 Important Things to Do Prior to any pc repairs

1. Backup anything important – you should do this regardless but always prior to installing anything.

2. Make sure you never do anything you do not know how to recover from. (Don’t worry I am working on an article about how to install Windows XP from scratch in case of a total meltdown)

3. Never ever open the case of the computer if it is still under warranty. It voids most warranties and they know you did it too. The screws are created so if you remove or open the case they know. Then you have turned a professional technician’s computer problem into your computer problem. You don’t want that.

What the heck is a device driver?

Simply put a device driver is a piece of software that allows your hardware to work. The reason your digital camera can upload its pictures to your computer is because of a device driver. The reason your printer can print your Word Document is due to a device driver.

How to troubleshoot device driver problems (Windows XP)

The easiest way I think to do is to first click on start and then click control panel. From there click printers and other Hardware (see below)

While on this screen click on system (see below)

On this screen click the Hardware Tab (see below)

From here click the device manager button (see below)

A red x means it is disabled.

A yellow ! means there isa problem with it.

A yellow ? means it does not recognize it all (see below)

Let’s try the one with the yellow ? mark. Click on the device and go to properties.

The general tab tells you what is going on with the device. Notice it says that it is not configured correctly. That generally means you need to install or reinstall the driver. We will get into reinstallation in a second (see below)

Now let’s try the same with one with a red x. Right click and go to properties (see below)

Notice it says the device is disabled. You would re-enable the device from here by going to the drop down where it says device usage: and change it from Do not use this device (disable) (see Figure-1 below) to Use this device (enable) (see Figure-2 below)

Figure-2 – click ok and viola it is enabled. Yippee.

Notice below the red x is gone.

If you right click the device and go to properties under device usage: notice it says: Use this device (enable)

The Easiest Way to Install Device Drivers

1. Obviously the easiest way to complete pc repairs of this sort is to insert the dvd,cd or floppy that came with the device and run the install program.
2. Next easiest is to let plug and play which is Windows auto-installation do its thing. It is affectionately known to computer technicians as plug-and-pray because it is pretty random as to how often it works.

However probably you were not able to successfully complete your pc repairs using the techniques above so you are down here. Worry not the below fix works about 90% of the time.

Ok so let’s go back to the device that has either a yellow question mark (Figure-3) Or ! that is black highlighted in yellow (Figure-4)

Figure-3

Figure-4

Well right click and go to properties. It should say device is not configured properly. Click on the reinstall drivers (see below)

See below

No matter which button you click it goes to the next screen. However, if you click the middle one you will not see this screen ever again (supposedly). Anyways next you see a screen like below. We are going to put the dot (windows refers to it as a radio button) click next to install the software automatically (recommended). If it works then yippee you are done. However,you may get a message about the driver not being signed (see Figure-5). All this means is Microsoft has not approved it or tested it.

You should always make certain non-signed drivers are ok (meaning they are from someone you can trust). If they are click yes if they aren’t leave and find them elsewhere. Usually if you get the driver from the manufacturer it is ok to approve the installation of the device. However, it could cause issues so always be careful and make sure you have backed everything of any value up. I have never had problems with unsigned drivers but you may so it is best to be a little on the careful side. (see below)

(Figure-5)

How to install drivers manually

From the below screen click on Install from a list or specific location (see below)

Click next and it will pull up the below screen. Click on browse and then browse to the location where the driver files are located. (see below)

This screen comes up (see below)

Go down to the folder where the driver file is located and when you get to where there is a valid driver file the ok button will be clickable. If it is not clickable there is not a valid driver file here. You can keep clicking folders until it becomes clickable. When it does click ok (see below)

It should populate the field with the path to the file. Click next (see below)

It will begin scanning and then hopefully it should work.

Go back to the device manager screen to make certain all is ok. Notice there are no marks around the device so it worked (see below)

Tricks if the device is not working (advanced).

If you feel confident there are some other things you can do if the device is not working properly and all else has failed. You can right click and go to uninstall the device. You will get the below warning click ok if you are certain (see below)

Notice the device is gone (see below)

Why use that trick? Sometimes Windows does some weird things a lot of people reboot (which can work too). However, by deleting it you don’t have to reboot and you can be certain the device will be gone and ready to rescan which should pick up the new device. If not reboot and re-plug in the device.

Where to find the correct drivers for PC Repairs

It didn’t work what now?

My honest recommendation is to return the product andeither:

1. get a new one – if you absolutely must have the particular device
2. get a different one – if you want that type of device but not necessarily that particular device

If you are absolutely in love with the device or you order another and cannot get it to work then yes you may have to get your pc repairs done by a professional. This should be highly uncommon but if you must go to a big repair outfit like best buy (www.bestbuy.com)or Comp USA (www.compusa.com). I wouldn’trecommend doing this but you can if you like.

Things to do if you are taking your computer in for PC Repairs

1. Backup anything of value
2. Remove or secure any private information (I am working on an article about how to do this. I’ll give you a program that the NSA uses to secure some of its files the best thing is it is FREE)
3. Always get an estimate prior to work
4. Always set a reasonable cap
5. make certain they specify that once they meet that cap they will give you the pc back in functioning order
6. Get whatever you agreed to in writing

From PC Repairs to FREE PC Tech Support