Why won’t your computer work?



You’ve arrived for work in the morning and powered up your computer. Instead of the normal start screen, the screen is blank and no sound is heard from the computer. The monitor lights are on, but the computer lights aren’t lit. What is the most likely cause of this problem?

A) The PC power supply is faulty

B) The video card is faulty

C) The hard drive is faulty

D) The power settings in the BIOS are incorrect

E) The underpants gnomes have made off with your computer’s power button


The answer: A) The PC power supply is faulty

If no power is getting to any part of the computer, then you’re probably faced with a power supply issue. Replacing the power supply can usually correct the issue.

Want to know more? Watch “Installing and Troubleshooting Computer Power.”

Troubleshooting power problems with personal computers goes well beyond the power cord. In this module, we’ll show you how to use a circuit tester and multimeter to troubleshoot power on the motherboard , the PC components, and the power outlets themselves. You’ll also learn about power protection systems and the process for installing a PC power supply.