Skype Audio Problem

Client bought new headphone/mic set. Could not be heard by the other party on Skype. Under 'call' 'audio' only one option for microphone 'SigmaTell' Usually changing option here would configure the mic. Unplugged mic again. Pop up box then gave 'lie-in' as default. I changed to microphone. Green line appeared under microphone when I spoke, but was intermittant. Moved mic jack around a bit, worked again. Problem was loose jack connector. Always check the cables first!

Desktop not turning on but LED on MOBO glows

Purpose built PC. Plugged in LED light on MOBO comes on. Fan spin for half a second. No image on screen or fans spinning. Tested PS, memory, took out all cards, disconnected HD,CD etc. Took out CPU, applied paste. None of this made any difference. Tested power switch by unplugging from MOBO and shorting (with a screwdriver) across pins. Fan spins -as above for a sec.
So the motherboard has failed it seems.

No Internet connection

• Check the obvious first: cables connecting? Green light where cable enters computer
• All lights green on modem?
• Plug out modem for 10 seconds. Wait for it to re-set
• Check 'Internet Options' under 'tools' in Internet Explorer(IE)
• In 'Connections' 'Never dial a connecction' should be checked (greyed out) Main box will be empty -except if using 3G or dial-up
• Click 'LAN settings' -nothing should be checked
• Still not connecting - make sure that there is only one anti-virus installed
• Go to (right-click) Computer>manage>device manager.
• See (under Network) if ethernet controller is enabled. Right click and uninstall -reboot and it will re-install.
• If computer was used with a server, proxy server setting may have been set. Remove these (under 'Connections').
• IP address may have been added under Local Area Connections. Change by going to (In WindowsXP) 'Network Connections'>right click Local Area Connectionshighlight 'Internet Protocol TCP/IP>click 'properties' change (if necessary) to: 'obtain IP address automatically' and 'obtain DNS server automatically'. Apply and close. 

Desktop not turning on

Nothing happens when on button pressed. No lights or fans. Tried a working power supply. Just plugged the 2 MOBO connectors to MOBO, Nothing - should have a green MOBO light and PS supply fan . Motherboard burn out. Dump it!

Desktop Black Screen 2

Client said power must be failing, Intermittant "cutting out". Important not to be led by client's diagnosis! It does colour your approach.
I first checked that my monitor was ok.
Connections all ok.
Opened up. Blew out some dust. Took out the (one) memory stick. Installed a new one. Booted no prob! Just reinstalled his old memory, started up no problem. It was a memory reseating issue.

Hardware failure causing black screen

Most likely cause:

• RAM
• CPU
• Motherboard
• Power Supply

Rule out it being a software issue by entering BIOS, stay there see if it shuts down again. If it does it's hardware problem!

Dial Up problems

I hadn't seen a computer using Dial Up for years, had forgotten how to set this up. I was asked to install updates and re install Norton, as Dial Up was too slow. Removed eircom dial up in 'Connections' box to allow me to connect to my broadband. Client couldn't connect Dial Up, I had to make a service call. As I had forgotten the setting I had to make a call to eircom support. Lesson I learned? Note the Dial Up settings before you un- install!

Desktop with black screen

Computer turns on, fans spin lights etc. but screen remains black. First checked cables - all ok. Opened case and checked seating of graphics card, removed one memory module. Reseated the other. Case was full of dust. CPU heat sink and fan well clogged. Blew out dust, applied thermal paste to CPU. Still black screen. New problem now - computer shutting down after three mins or so. Tried another Graphics card, no joy. Then I tried a new memory stick - Yes! Windows welcome screen! Updates start to install, computer reboots several times but seems to be stuck at 3rd update. Shuts down again. Rebooted to 'Repair my Computer' - to be continued....
Just Googled the problem. Overheating could be fan failing or power supply. Nost likely RAM failure. Could be software issue. See if problem recurs with just BIOS screen on.
It seems original problem was the updates getting stuck at "installing 3rd update", Re-installed Windows using F11. Did the trick!

Dead Laptop 2

I was presented with a laptop with a solid (unblinking) cursor some months previously. All the usual remedies didn't work - reseating memory, substituting HD, installation disk. Changed boot sequence to CD, then back to HD did the trick! Problem recured later - Set Defaults worked  

Dead Laptop

It's not always the Motherboard!

Laptop dead. Black screen, no fans spinning no lights anywhere apart from the power light. Client said to me I suppose the  Motherboard has gone. The power light gave me reason to hope that there was still life in it. I tapped F2 and was rewarded with the BIOS flash screen. I kept my fingers crossed and tried clicking on “Set Defaults” Restarted and Yes! Windows Welcome screen!
Don't speak so soon! It has come back same thing. Hmmmm.