Unit 13 - M2

M2

SouTec Repair Centre is a specialist company specialising in the repairing of computer systems. As an employee of SouTec I have been assigned various tasks by my manager. My manager, Mr Fixcom, has assigned me with the task to create a blog justifying two remedies for two faults reported in the fault log provided. Mr Fixcom has also stated that one remedy should be for a complex hardware fault and the other with a complex software fault. The two faults that I have chosen are:

• Computer runs slow with lots of error messages on the screen and randomly freezes
• After upgrading my RAM; Windows is crashing intermittently

After upgrading my RAM; Windows is crashing intermittently

Whilst carrying out remedies I followed a series of logical steps. I first tried to identify if the fault was being caused by something basic. In this case, I first checked if the RAM was inserted properly. Using the correct tools and safety equipment opened the case and checked this. This was my primary check as my client had just upgraded the RAM and this fault began to occur after the RAM upgrade. After re-inserting the RAM, the client still reported that Windows is crashing intermittently.

Next I checked if the new RAM is actually compatible with the motherboard using the Tech Manual. This was my next check as again I was carrying out my checks in a logical and structural manner meaning I would first check the basic problems that might cause this problem. As this is a complex problem it requires many steps as the cause is unknown. After checking the motherboard Tech manual, I discovered that the RAM inserted is compatible.

As the problems started occurring after the RAM had been upgraded, it was logical to assume that the RAM is causing the problem. Again using the correct safety equipment, I substituted the RAM modules with working RAM. This solved the problem as the client reported no problems occurred for a long time.  

Computer runs slow with lots of error messages on the screen and randomly freezes

Again as this was a complex fault with no obvious cause, I followed a series of multiple steps. I primarily focused on something simple that may be causing this problem. I ran a full system virus scan to look for any viruses. In this case, the anti-virus did not find any viruses or malware.

My next step was to use an administrative tool called event viewer. The event viewer stores the event log of all the applications running on the computer system. Using this I would be able to view what application is causing the problem as it would be highlighted in red. The reason I moved on to checking the event viewer is because if the registry is corrupted it can cause these types of errors and the event viewer would highlight the program. The event viewer highlighted the program that was causing the problem and my remedy was to uninstall the program and re-install it if the client required.