Computer and Laptop Hardware Maintenance Procedure (Part 2)

14] CMOS Battery Test

The CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) device on the computer motherboard serves to store BIOS settings and the system clock. If the CMOS battery is damaged or weakened, the following characteristics may occur:

  • System Date and Time Return to Default Values. Every time the computer starts up, the system date and time will revert to default or inaccurate values.
  • BIOS Settings Return to Default Settings. Settings you’ve configured in the BIOS, such as boot order, device settings, or overclocking, may revert to default settings.

15] Sound Tests

Once you’ve added a new sound card to your computer, you may want to test it by playing a video file to make sure everything is working properly.

You can use the “dxdiag” utility built into the Windows operating system to perform tests on your computer’s voice or audio. If the test sound is successfully heard without problems, this indicates that the audio device is working properly. However, if there is no sound or the sound is abnormal, there may be a problem with the audio device.

In addition, in the “DirectX Diagnostic Tool” window, you can also explore other “Sound” tabs, such as “Music” and “Input”, to perform additional tests and configure sound settings.

16] Check the Mouse and Keyboard

Make sure the mouse and keyboard are physically connected to the computer through the appropriate ports (for example, USB or PS/2).  Check cables and connectors to make sure there is no damage or loose connections. Outdated cables are usually easily visible when you inspect them.

If using a wireless device, make sure the battery is in good condition and the device is properly connected through the wireless receiver.

If you’re having problems with your mouse or keyboard, try restarting your computer.  Some temporary problems can be resolved by restarting the system.

17] Overheated CPU

You may experience heat issues even though your CPU fan is not hot. The problem may be that the heatsink isn’t touching important parts of the CPU properly. Remove the adhesive tape used for heat transfer if it sticks to the heatsink, especially if you think it might be causing the problem. Remove the glue. Put a small amount of heat transfer compound or thermal lubricant.

18] Static Electricity

Always make sure to remove any static electricity that builds up from your body before touching anything. You can use a wrist strap for extra security, but it’s not essential. For simplicity, just touch the metal before touching the card or drive. A metal desk or filing cabinet will work well for this situation. As soon as you remove the component, be sure to immediately put it in an anti-static bag, even if only for a short time.

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