Explain computer hardware maintenance and troubleshooting. Describe common hardware problems and their solutions.

Computer Hardware Maintenance is the practice of keeping computer components in good working condition through regular inspection, cleaning, and replacement of parts.

Types of Maintenance:

1. Preventive Maintenance — Regular cleaning, dust removal, checking connections, updating drivers
2. Corrective Maintenance — Fixing hardware after a failure occurs
3. Predictive Maintenance — Monitoring hardware health indicators to predict failures

Common Hardware Problems and Solutions:

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Computer won't start	Power supply failure, loose cables	Check power cord, test PSU, check motherboard connections
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)	RAM failure, driver issues, overheating	Run memory diagnostics, update drivers, clean cooling system
Slow performance	Insufficient RAM, HDD fragmentation, overheating	Upgrade RAM, defragment or replace with SSD, clean fans
No display on monitor	Loose cable, GPU failure, monitor issue	Check VGA/HDMI cable, test with another monitor, reseat GPU
Strange noises	Fan failure, HDD failure	Replace fan, backup data and replace HDD
Overheating	Dust buildup, thermal paste dried	Clean heatsink and fans, reapply thermal paste
USB device not recognized	Driver issue, port failure	Try different port, update USB drivers, check Device Manager
Printer not printing	Connection issue, driver problem, paper jam	Check cable/Wi-Fi, reinstall driver, clear paper jam

Troubleshooting Steps (Systematic Approach):

1. Identify the problem — Observe symptoms, ask user questions
2. Establish a theory — Consider probable causes
3. Test the theory — Try simple fixes first
4. Establish a plan — Plan the repair
5. Implement the solution — Apply the fix
6. Verify functionality — Confirm the problem is resolved
7. Document findings — Record the issue and solution for future reference