How to Diagnose the Top 5 Most Common Computer Issues

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A Computer requires maintenance to ensure that it continues to function correctly and doesn’t malfunction unexpectedly, just like how our modern-age appliances or even vehicles do. Despite your rigorous maintenance efforts, your PC may still have a serious hardware or software problem.

At RB Tech and Games, we know it’s never fun to deal with a damaged or faulty computer, especially if you don’t have know-how about custom PCs. Thankfully, many of the problems you could encounter when using a PC are rather easy to fix or, at the very least, recognize. Here is a list of the five most frequent PC issues and advice on how to resolve them. Almost all of the information in this article will help you overcome the issues with your desktop PC, however, there are some tips that only apply to the Desktop category, rather than the Laptop. However, before we begin, please do note that this guide applies to you only if you’re a tech savant, and want to expand your Custom-PC-Building knowledge.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

#1) Computer won’t boot/turn on

This is a rather common issue in the gaming PC community, that has people annoyed or worried. This particular problem is normally caused due to a power failure in the motherboard itself. While a majority of people believe the computer is “dead” there is a very high chance that it powers on, but does not show a display. This can be due to a whole other list of issues, which we’ll cover later in this article.

For now, if the board does not receive power, there is a very high chance that it has something to do with the power delivery, whether it is through the power supply, or through the power outlet directly. Since we’re in Pakistan, power surges are the most common killers of PC components. Nonetheless, if you find yourself having this issue, here is what you should do:

• Check your connections, both internal and external. There may be a chance your power cord isn’t connected properly or is damaged. Internal connectors are often loosely connected as well, in cases of newly built custom PCs.
• Check to see if your PSUs power switch (if any) is turned on. You’d be surprised at how many times people overlook this, even though it may be obvious.
• Apart from that, there are some other things to look out for, such as the extension cord (if any). There is a very high chance that the power extension might not be providing enough power to the power supply of the computer, or may be causing a short.

Tips/Precautionary Measures:

• Use a surge protector. You can either invest in a heavy-duty one if your PC is one of those behemoth types, otherwise, a simple surge protector off of Daraz will do. Their main function is to prevent an excess amount of current to pass through to the other end. Having your PC hooked up to one of these will help you a lot in the long run.
• Double checking your internal wiring, if you’re building the PC yourself for the first time.
• Steering clear of those sub-par “gold” rated PSU deals that seem too good to be true. Not naming any names, but these PSUs have paraded the local market and many believe that they offer “value”, but believe me when I say this, they offer nothing more than lies.

#2) Computer turns on, but there’s no P.O.S.T (Power-On Self-Test)/ Boot Screen

The second issue on our list has to be the infamous “on but not on” issue people face. Ever turned on your computer and have all the internals and the fans light up but had nothing show up on the display? Well, the fact of the matter is, this can also be due to a faulty PSU, but there’s no need to rush for a replacement just yet. There could be other potential reasons as well.

If a computer does not turn on, there is a chance that it has something to do with the monitor itself, otherwise, it may be the video cable connections. If the cable and the monitor are functioning correctly, then it’s safe to say that there is a hardware fault that is preventing the PC from booting up. Here are a few steps you could follow to troubleshoot this issue.

• Having a spare PC in this instance will save you a lot of hassle since you’d be able to swap out the parts one by one to make sure which part is faulty.
• Cleaning the RAM sticks can help. As we’re well aware, there’s a lot of dust in Pakistan, and sometimes those dust particles manage to make their way into the RAM slots which can often be the reason behind boot looping or no boot issues.
• Thoroughly cleaning and dusting the system helps with eliminating moisture or dust that may be causing some sort of electrostatic interference. It is also worth noting that if you live near the seaside or deal with humidity, your chances of facing issues with your PC are automatically worsened therefore make sure to service your PC from time to time.

#3) Computer shuts off randomly, resets, or crashes

Again, believe it or not, if a PC turns off randomly, chances are, it is due to an overheating CPU. Computers nowadays have temperature sensors that have a maximum limit. Once a CPU reaches the max limit, it will automatically reset or shut down to prevent itself from serious damage. If you’re experiencing the B.O.S.D (Blue Screen of Death), that is most likely due to a software issue. In very serious instances is the B.O.S.D caused due to hardware issues?

Here are some measures you can take to troubleshoot this specific issue:

• It is important to open the case of your PC and make a visual inspection. Notice how many fans are turning on and if there are any visual issues. If not, then you’re advised to clean out the PC with an electric blower, making sure to hold down the fins of each fan when blowing them with air to not damage the internal bearing.
• If there’s no improvement, you’re advised to remove the heatsink and replace the thermal paste. The thermal paste plays a pivotal role in the overall thermal performance of your CPU therefore it is suggested to not cheap out on the paste, and get a decent one that would last several years.
• There is a whole debate on how the thermal paste should be removed and applied, but I would suggest using alcohol wipes, or a simple tissue dabbed with some alcohol-based perfume, to wipe away the old residue.

#4) Display signal drops, but the computer remains on

When the display signal drops, there is a chance that there is a fault with the display cables connected to the monitor. The important thing to do in this case is to make a visual inspection of the cables connected to the monitor, and whether or not there are any signs of physical wear and tear.

If all else looks alright, it might be time to take a closer look at the Graphics Card and its connections. Some of the most common issues with the GPU are loose cables or poor seating of the card. It is also important to check whether or not the GPU is the cause of the issue, therefore, if you’re on an Intel CPU (non-F) or the Ryzen CPU (G-Series) then you can test the display by directly connecting the monitor’s cable to the back of the motherboard to get a display. This will help you figure out whether the GPU is at fault or if the issue lies in some other component.

#5) Computer Freezes, Stutters, or Makes Clicking Sounds 

The last issue on our list has to be obsolete at this point, but there is a chance you may still be using Hard Disk Drives for your windows which in and of itself is a major issue. In 2022, you have to invest in an SSD drive, and if you haven’t yet, believe me, the speed gains are uncanny.

Now if there are clicking sounds coming from your PC, chances are, it is probably a fan or an old Hard Drive going bad. The best thing to do in case of an HDD going bad is to back up all the data you can, because before you know it, that HDD will cease to exist in your file explorer.

While I do agree that computers are pretty intricate and complex, once you get the gist of it, the whole process is far easier than you may perceive. The one-part people have trouble understanding, is that the whole PC building process is like Lego building blocks, but for adults., each part inside a desktop PC can be removed and replaced, which makes the process of understanding these computers that much more intriguing.

Lastly, it goes without saying that if at any point you feel like this is too much for you, or that you may require assistance, you’re more than welcome to drop by our store for a quick and free diagnosis.

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