Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
The dial-up modem doesn't work.
First verify that the phone line is good and that you have a dial tone. Then check and, if necessary,
replace the phone cable from the modem to the wall outlet. If the modem is integrated into the
motherboard, check the BIOS Setup to ensure that the modem is enabled. Try clearing the Enhanced
System Configuration Data (ESCD) option in the BIOS Setup. This forces the plug-and-play routines
to reconfigure the system, which can resolve any conflicts. If the modem is internal and you aren't
using the COM1/COM2 serial ports integrated into the motherboard (as for an external modem), try
disabling the serial ports to free up additional system resources. Also, try removing and reinstalling
the modem drivers, ensuring that you are using the most recent drivers from the modem manufacturer.
If that doesn't help, try physically removing and reinstalling the modem. If the modem is internal,
install it in a different slot. Or, if the modem is external, make sure it has power and is properly
connected to the serial or USB port on the PC. Try replacing the external modem power brick and the
serial/USB cable. Finally, if you get this far and it still doesn't work, try replacing the modem and
finally the motherboard.
Note that modems are very susceptible to damage from nearby lightning strikes. Consider adding
lighting arrestors or surge suppressors on the phone line running to the modem, and unplug the modem
during storms. If the modem has failed after a storm, you can be almost certain that it has been
damaged by lightning. The strike might have damaged the serial port or motherboard, in addition to
the modem. Any items damaged by lightning will most likely need to be replaced.
The keyboard doesn't work.
The two primary ways to connect a keyboard to a PC are via the standard keyboard port (usually
called a PS/2 port) and via USB. One problem is that some older systems that have USB ports cannot
use a USB keyboard because USB support is provided by the operating system—for instance, if the
motherboard has a USB port but does not include what is called USB Legacy Support in the BIOS.
This support is specifically for USB keyboards (and mice) and was not common in systems until 1998
or later. Many systems that had such support in the BIOS still had problems with the implementation;
in other words, they had bugs in the code that prevented the USB keyboard from working properly. If
you are having problems with a USB keyboard, check to ensure that USB Legacy Support is enabled
in the BIOS. If you are still having problems, make sure you have installed the latest BIOS and
chipset drivers for your motherboard and any Windows updates from Microsoft. Some older systems
never could properly use a USB keyboard, in which case you should change to a PS/2 keyboard
instead. Some keyboards feature both USB and PS/2 interfaces, which offer the flexibility to connect
to almost any system.
If the keyboard is having problems, the quickest way to verify whether it is the keyboard or the
motherboard is to simply replace the keyboard with a known-good spare. In other words, borrow a
working keyboard from another system and try it. If it still doesn't work, the interface on the
motherboard is most likely defective, which unfortunately means that the entire board must be
replaced. If the spare keyboard works, then obviously the original keyboard was the problem.
I can't hear sound from the speakers.
This can often be as simple as the speakers being unplugged, plugged into the wrong jacks, or
powered off, so don't overlook the obvious and check to be sure! Also check the volume controls in
Windows or your application to see that they are turned up and not muted. When you are sure the
volume is turned up, the speakers have power and are plugged in, and the speaker configuration is
