Computer Diagonisis

Computer Does  not Switch On.

Preamble;

Computers can really be scary if not terrifying if you believe in them being delicate enough not to be tampered with if one is an amateur or a novice for that matter. I admit I once believed so. in fact I even once believed they were more intelligent than man. Yes that is what it means growing up in the rural parts of the developing countries. Oh, developing are they?
Today as I write this blog on an Acer aspire one borrowed laptop, I recollect what I have gone through in my adventure to learn Computers. I'm completely self taught thanks to the great love and  admiration I have for computers! I love reading about them quite a lot and today I'm teaching myself programing in C++.
How have I over come so many hiccups along this path?

1.  Acquired a second hand Compaq Presario c500 laptop. (Good laptop that one is)
2. Tried to repair it my self when ever it broke down because I never trust technician in my part of town! Village actually. (I also had no money for repairs).
3. Put the fear of opening it behind (If I destroyed it, it was mine anyway. Nobody will task me to replace it with other.)
4. Researched on the web on each individual issue (Sometimes got answers Sometime did) but drew my own analysis until a solution was found.
5. Recorded down a very step I took in solving the problem (learnt what worked and what didn't) 

Today, I would like to talk about the first computer issue I dealt with. I must say though that I shall be unnecessarily chatty for this one. The following one will be direct to the point.

Problem Definition;

The Dell Computer I dealt with, could not switch on. No, not at all. No lights, sound of fan spinning or any beeps whatsoever.

Steps To  Problem Solving;

So, my first Assumption (And you can't deal without assumptions) was that the power unit was dead.I checked the wall  power socked, it worked perfect. It wasn't the problem.
I picked my Power tester and tested a very output of the power unit cable and they all past the test. (If the tester does not light up, don't hurry to conclude, the tester itself could be dead. So be sure it works)
So, the Power supply has passed the test Where could the problem be?
Research showed that the BIOS (Pre-installed program that loads first before the operating system) could've gotten it self entangle in confusion due to maybe some changes in its settings. Clearing the CMOS could do the trick. So I did three trick to reset the BIOS back to default settings:

 

CMOS Jumper marked in Red arrow

1. I un plugged the computer from the wall power socket. Disconnected the power input to the mother board. Then pressed the Power Button at the front of the CPU unit casing for thirty (30) seconds. (To discharge all the static electricity still lingering on, the mother board thus resetting the BIOS). On reconnecting the Computer  and powering it up, No success. It remained dead silent.
2. Again, I unplugged it from power and changed the CMOS Jumper settings from pin 1 and 2(default position) to 2 and 3 for 5seconds then reset it to default position. On reconnecting power and switching the computer on, nothing happened!
3. I then removed the CMOS battery for a minute replaced it, witched on. Again, Nothing

CMOS Battery Circle in Red

I then narrowed my analysis to the RAM (Random Access Memory) card now. But first inspected the whole mother board fearing any scratches that could've cut the power flow. (This was not necessary since mere scratches on the mother board rarely affect power up)
I removed the Memory card from their slots (At this point you should be aware that Unplugging power sockets must always come first. If you do not know how to earth yourself to avoid any shocks from the static current, Always drain it by the 30second press on the power button trick after unplugging the power sockets). I blew and cleaned the RAM slots. Snapped them back and switched on once again, no success.

Common type of RAM card for desktop PCs

I tested them on other computer and that computer too did not switch on! Bingo, the issue could be solved now. But just be sure. So I snapped the memory card from the other computer to the Computer I was working on, Switched on and eureka, It powered up to the desktop. 
So, I had just solved my first Computer problem.
And got paid too! Lucky, I thought until I began solving every problem that come my way.





Recommendations:

1. Don't Shy away from trying to solve your computer issue your self the DIY (Do It Yourself) style. from the many or few mistakes you make along the way, you learn.
2. Research every problem and consult
3. Write down step by step your diagnosis. Note what fails in certain circumstance and what works.
4. Most of all, have interest.

It surprising how simple some problems can really be, if only you knew. People some times ask for my help in issues that only take common sense (Computers are user friendly). I help them and get paid. It's clear, they fear trying and are not interested.
For you who reads my Posts, You will get them all for free and your free to share it with a friend. Recommend this post and blog if you found this post helpful or at list likable.

Watch this space for more computer diagnosis. Share your ideas with me and all who read this blog. You could also ask a question and suggest an issue you would like to see me talk about. I don't promise to deliver results for you since my diagnosis are really on computer problems I have faced or my clients have.
I'll also bring the you the diagnosis of issues my Laptop has gone through. It's down as I speak and its Power issues.

And if  you ever run to Power issues or any problem with your Laptop or PC, I Recommend you study Morris Rosenthal's Laptop troubleshooting flowchart diagrams on http://www.ifitjams.com/lappower.htm

They come with detailed explanations.

PC's Motherboard. Your may be different but same features. use this for study purpose.

Thanks for your time, Please leave a comment.

Once in a life time events seem to come around when I'm completely incapable of joining in the fun! except of course my wedding and the birth of my son.
Pope John Paul III came to Uganda and to my own town Soroti just a week after I had been moved away to another distant Town. I begged and pleaded with my Uncle to take me back to Soroti in vein. I missed that visit and missed to see one of the most finniest Pope the world and the Roman Catholic Church has had ever!

Then came the Common wealth meeting in Uganda decade and so later. Well, its not that I was out of  the country again and have never been anyway. Yes I was out of Kampala where every activity took place. Yes there was a feeling of it as well outside Kampala and the hottest question and answer then was, 'Are you ready for the common Wealth?' 'Yes, I'm Ready for the  Common Wealth' respectively. Well, I wasn't. I had been Pointed and posted to Teach in Bududa SS, a school far in the country side bordering Kenya, a land of beauty,abundance ever green with beautiful mountainous views but also a land of  land-slide. quite remote at that time! There were not News-Papers, Analogue TV receptions where terrible or none at all. Few satellite TVs which where located in dirty, noisy, Dark and uncomfortable video Halls. Electricity was there in paper only. You only could have it one hour a week. Internet, was out of reach. But most of all, what completely ruined my Readiness for the visit of the Queen was that I was Broke. A year after my posting I had not yet accessed the Government Pay-Roll! The Church mouse Was better than me.

Then Came the Athens Olympic. Any body who watched that Opening ceremony still praises it. I missed again. Arrgh.

 Then Came the first African world cup, I should have walked to RSA but I couldn't

And Today, The Olympics in the city that is synonymous with Bush house (BBC), Arsenal FC, W.Shakespeare, C. Dickens and The Towers at least in my opinion. This too has come and I can't watch the Opening Ceremony (the one thing I always watch of any sport that doesn't mind having it). Being still in Bududa Five years after the first posting, there is not even one Video hall that has paid for it's satellite TV subscription Since it's off season of the English Premier League, the most watched and paying sport here.
Thanks be to the BBC World Service though and MSN.com, they gave me all the commentary and the pictures respectively.

I know you may think me an idiot who has a computer, internet but can't watch the event on the web. well, if you were in this place you would think me a gig who gets on line in such a remote place as this. My connectivity however, can't get me an internet TV. It's a Nokia 2600c phone acting as a modem connecting my laptop to the web through a slow Bluetooth link. It keeps disconnecting Avery after one or two minutes! and I have  only 20mb of data to use.
My Radio also ran out of Batteries yet can't run on AC since it's Transformer Burnt some time back by the annoyingly un-stable Bududa Power. I didn't Replace it. Now when I badly need it it breaks down too! Well, I'll tell you what I did. Picked up my Phone Charger, Cut the wires, and connected it to the Dc Input of my Radio, Bingo! I was back loud and clear on air!

Then Phones Batteries Ran out and I new I would be off-line soon and miss seeing the picture of the Opening Ceremony from around the web. Arrrgh!
Again another eureka moment. I decided to extend the wires from the Radios DC input to the phones cut charging terminal and it powered up once again! Beautiful.

I Then did something stupid; removed the battery from the laptop! To extend its life as I was told from the web you know. I should have un plugged the AC cable, Not the Battery, In just a few minutes, power went off. There, now I had no Radio, no internet and no light. If it was not of the genius technology of auto save that Google had within their blogging platform, I would have lost all that I had typed and that would have been extremely annoying.
Having gotten tired, I just dived to my bed and slept until morning.
So, I missed to know first time from BBC who light the Torch but most of all had known that the Queen even at her age, parachuted to the Olympics stadium! Breath taking it must have been. I thought of the person who thought of this idea as brave and daring.

And today, as the first Gold goes to china I come back to complete what I had started yesterday! I missed Watching live TV thou but must admin this Village (not the Olympic village) Bududa as come a long way as now I can access the web here. The Olympic Village too I'm told as come along way, maybe a short one to what it's today being un developed just a few years ago.

Please post me pictures and comments if you watched and especially if you were at the stadium. I sign off to listen to the Athletic Commentary from The BBC.
See You.

Looking at the way Ghana has again shown the World that they are definitely the number one country in African civilization and democracy especially that it comes in this time when my Patriotic spirit is in limbo for how my country has been run, I should say Thank you Ghana. I'm proud you are in Africa but also sadden that other countries, deliberately will not want to copy you their father of democracy

This sad moment when we lose our beloved President also brings pride and joy in our hearts that you our role-model has jet again shown us how a situation as this should be handled.
My country, Uganda, is far from copying you thou and I wonder what would have happen if it was Uganda in your situation right now. I imagine road-blocks every where to say the least, worst of all streets of blood as the greedy power thirsty big shots scramble for power.

My President has not prepared us for this since he has drummed into our myopic heads for 25 years now that there is no other capable of leading this nation! and a majority have believed him.

We have different Armies Mascaraing under the UPDF, the national army. What would they be doing today if Uganda was Ghana, I fear.

I cry to Africa, Oh my beloved Africa, do not let your children down. Learn from Ghana and we will develop shortly. Political stability, transparency and tranquility is what we want.
Love you Ghana, Love you Africa.

Rest in Peace H.E John Evan Atta Mills

When I listen to the Police stories (not the Jackie Chan type) around the world, I begin to realize that Ugandan Police officers are professional or at least in their service delivery, and that is an understatement! In Kenya, last year, two or three Police officers won an award for helping a pregnant woman deliver on her way to the hospital, in Uganda, that would not have won them anything at all for then they would have done something normal or call it usual. In Kenya however, that was un expected! The 'kitu kidogo'-something for something service is so high that to meet even a good Police officer on leave first thing in the morning, is a bad omen for a civilian. In Mexico, the locals fought the Police for the Police's brutal murders and kidnaps of the young men two or three years back. They participate in drug cartels and rape women under custody. In Nigeria, and this is current news from the BBC, a Hospital has been turned to a 'mass burial funeral service provider'! And who makes it possible? The Police and their massive arbitrarily murders of young men who just, lets face it, are suspects of robbery! In fact some murders are carried out in Police check points. Extra judicial killings are issues of the trigger happy officer, and they- the Nigerian Police officers, are trigger happy. In South Africa, one or two month ago, a very brave Police officer shots down an 'armed' four year old child 'robber'. Robber's gun description: toy gun with zero rounds of ammunition! The shoot first or call it fast and ask questions later thing, you know:-)

Police brutalities around the world are actually soaring above the Military brutalities on civilians and I find that ironical. The Ugandan Police in spite of the corruption stain, which believe me, is a grain of sand in an ocean compared to their brothers else where, are friendly, professional and deliver at least a fair service though they have their own short comings.

Its a year or so since I wrote the paragraphs above. As I write know, I must admit, things are rather the opposite of what they were. I wish they had read this representative article on my Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/notes/simon-opolot/are-your-police-officers-good-enough/199234291567
Maybe just be, they would have thought better before pounding on their brothers on the streets as they demonstrated against the Governments failures.

The Police officer ironically is now the most feared Armed personnel in Uganda, replacing the Soldier who has turned to be the best friend you can have (I'm not quite surely whether they would still be if they were subjected to the Egyptian kind of Situation during the overthrow of Mubarak)

 Well, this discipline I must credit on the should of President Museveni! The same President who is to blame for turning the Police into a brute disrespecting force. The masses now feel it's better to be arrested by the Military on night patrol than by the Police patrol. The Police will definitely drain your account while the soldiers will only keep you on patrol until morning then let you go just as a way of saying be at home at the right time in the time of security threats.

The whole Irony here is that The Inspector General of Police, Major-General Edward Kale Kaihura is a soldier. The former bad boy marries the former good girl, bad boy goes good while the good girl goes bad! Hmm.

An example of this needless Police moves against the communities;
http://katwe.blogspot.com/2006/03/kaihura-to-purge-business-for.html

Teachers deserve better.

I feel insulted by the Government of Uganda when they said teachers are many and replaceable. It's clear sign of failure of logic. Answering Teachers demand for Salary increase with threats of dismissal is un-thought response. It's like a father who shouts at a child who as a thorn on his foot. In my opinion the whole Education system in Uganda is Crumbling down and calling out for help but those who are suppose to help are instead killing it. I feel like a little child who has been raped by his Dad but can't call out for help because he has been threatened with death if I dare!
Broken promises demoralize Teachers. You may force them into class but you can't force them to teach. How do you expect them to teach patriotism to their young classes yet they feel their country is letting them down!
This is the point the Government lost it when they irresponsibly responded to the Teachers demands.

My town soroti.

Year: 1998

Sleepless.

I've got no sleep since I entered bed. No not even a drop of it. What would you do if you found yourself in my place?