Thinking Like A Techie – The Diagnostic Path - Page 8
DISCUSSION: The best choices in the previous list continued to check connections. The best troubleshooting technique is often one that pulls one component from one device and uses it in another matching device. If it works in the second one, but not the first, it's a good bet that the component in question is not the problem itself and that something else is afoot. You just need the luxury of a matching component nearby, and that's not always possible.
Now, check out the next stage of this scenario below.
Now, check out the next stage of this scenario below.
Upgraded Scenario:
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You sit down at the computer, grab the mouse and move it around, but nothing happens. You notice that the computer's power light is on. The monitor's power light is also on, but the monitor is dark. You check for hibernation of the computer by tapping the spacebar a couple times. The monitor slowly lights up and you can see your login screen. Moving the mouse still causes nothing to happen.
You think that a likely Point of Failure points to the mouse. Noting that the mouse has a cable that connects it to the computer, you turn over the mouse and see that the laser light is not visible. Your next step is to consider the mouse’s cable as the likely Point of Failure, so you look and see that the mouse cable is indeed plugged into a USB port on the back of the computer tower. The mouse light still doesn’t show, and there is no movement on the display. Again, looking for the simplest way to check, you decide to unplug the cable and replug it into the laptop sitting nearby. The mouse pointer moves around quite nicely on the laptop. You conclude that the mouse itself is not the problem, and doesn’t need to be replaced, so you consider what else could be wrong on the computer itself. You note then that the next Point of Failure is likely where the mouse cable comes into the computer, i.e. the USB port. This computer has five USB ports on the back of the computer and two on the front. So, first you: A. Try the same mouse cable in all of the USB ports, including those on the front of the tower.
B. Get a flashlight and make a close examination of the USB port looking for grit or grime on the metal wires C. Check the USB ports for looseness or any signs the ports have been bent or broken. D. Check for frayed cable around the plug end of the mouse cable. |