PC Builder Pro Technical Support Knowledge Base 🔗

Common Boot Issues 🔗

PC Won't Turn On At All 🔗

  1. Check Power Connection
  2. Ensure power cable is firmly connected to PSU and wall outlet
  3. Try a different power cable or outlet

  4. Check if PSU power switch is in ON position (|)

  5. Test Power Supply

  6. Paperclip test: Bridge green wire to any black wire
  7. Listen for fan spin

  8. Consider PSU tester or multimeter

  9. Reseat Components

  10. Remove and reinstall RAM (one stick at a time)
  11. Reseat GPU in PCIe slot

  12. Check 24-pin and CPU power connectors

  13. Clear CMOS

  14. Remove CMOS battery for 5 minutes
  15. Use CMOS reset jumper if available
  16. May need to reconfigure BIOS settings

PC Powers On But No Display 🔗

  1. Monitor and Cable Issues
  2. Try different display cable (HDMI/DisplayPort)
  3. Test monitor with another device
  4. Ensure monitor input source is correct

  5. Check if GPU requires additional power cables

  6. RAM Troubleshooting

  7. Try one stick of RAM in slot A2
  8. Test each stick individually
  9. Check motherboard QVL for compatibility

  10. Try lower speed if XMP/DOCP enabled

  11. GPU Issues

  12. Reseat graphics card
  13. Try integrated graphics if available
  14. Test with different PCIe slot

  15. Check for bent pins in PCIe slot

  16. BIOS/UEFI Issues

  17. Reset CMOS to defaults
  18. Update BIOS if possible
  19. Check for diagnostic LEDs/codes
  20. Listen for beep codes

System Crashes/Blue Screens 🔗

BSOD Error Codes 🔗

Diagnostic Steps 🔗

  1. Check Event Viewer
  2. Windows Logs > System for critical errors
  3. Look for patterns before crashes

  4. Note any driver failures

  5. Run Memory Test

  6. Windows Memory Diagnostic
  7. MemTest86 for thorough testing

  8. Test one stick at a time

  9. Check Storage Health

  10. CrystalDiskInfo for SMART data
  11. chkdsk /f for file system errors

  12. Consider drive replacement if failing

  13. Driver Updates

  14. Update chipset drivers first
  15. GPU drivers from manufacturer
  16. Avoid driver update utilities

Performance Issues 🔗

High Temperatures 🔗

  1. CPU Overheating
  2. Normal temps: 30-50°C idle, 60-85°C load
  3. Check thermal paste application
  4. Ensure cooler is properly mounted

  5. Verify CPU fan is spinning

  6. GPU Overheating

  7. Normal temps: 30-50°C idle, 65-85°C load
  8. Clean dust from heatsink/fans
  9. Check case airflow direction

  10. Consider undervolting

  11. Case Airflow

  12. Front/bottom intake, rear/top exhaust
  13. Positive pressure reduces dust
  14. Cable management improves airflow
  15. Dust filters need regular cleaning

Low FPS in Games 🔗

  1. Check Background Processes
  2. Close unnecessary applications
  3. Disable Windows Game Mode/DVR

  4. Check for mining malware

  5. Power Settings

  6. Set Windows to High Performance
  7. Disable CPU power saving in BIOS

  8. Ensure GPU power target at 100%

  9. Driver Issues

  10. Clean install GPU drivers with DDU
  11. Disable GPU scheduling

  12. Check for game-specific driver issues

  13. Hardware Bottlenecks

  14. Monitor CPU/GPU usage in games
  15. Check RAM running at rated speed
  16. Ensure PCIe x16 slot usage

Storage Problems 🔗

SSD Not Detected 🔗

  1. Check Connections
  2. M.2: Ensure fully seated, correct slot
  3. SATA: Both data and power cables

  4. Some M.2 slots share SATA ports

  5. BIOS Settings

  6. Enable M.2 slot if disabled
  7. Check SATA mode (AHCI recommended)

  8. Update BIOS for NVMe support

  9. Initialize in Windows

  10. Disk Management > Initialize Disk
  11. Create partition and format
  12. Assign drive letter

Slow Performance 🔗

  1. Check Drive Health
  2. CrystalDiskMark for speeds
  3. Check for overheating (throttling)

  4. Ensure proper drivers installed

  5. Optimize Settings

  6. Enable TRIM for SSDs
  7. Disable indexing on SSDs
  8. Keep 10-20% free space

Network/Connectivity Issues 🔗

No Internet Connection 🔗

  1. Hardware Check
  2. Ethernet: Check cable and LEDs
  3. WiFi: Ensure antennas connected

  4. Try different port/cable

  5. Driver Issues

  6. Download drivers on another device
  7. Uninstall and reinstall network adapter

  8. Check Device Manager for errors

  9. Windows Network Reset

  10. netsh winsock reset
  11. netsh int ip reset
  12. ipconfig /release and /renew

Bluetooth Problems 🔗

  1. Enable in BIOS
  2. Some boards disable by default

  3. Check for WiFi/BT combo setting

  4. Driver Installation

  5. Install chipset drivers first
  6. Get Bluetooth drivers from motherboard vendor
  7. May need separate WiFi and BT drivers

BIOS/UEFI Issues 🔗

Can't Enter BIOS 🔗

  1. Try Different Keys
  2. Common: DEL, F2, F10, F12
  3. Spam key during boot

  4. Try with PS/2 keyboard

  5. Fast Boot Issues

  6. Hold Shift while clicking Restart
  7. Advanced startup > UEFI settings
  8. May need to clear CMOS

BIOS Update Problems 🔗

  1. Safe Update Practices
  2. Use UPS during update
  3. Use BIOS flashback if available

  4. Don't update unless necessary

  5. Recovery Options

  6. BIOS flashback button
  7. Dual BIOS switch
  8. CH341A programmer (advanced)

Warranty and RMA Process 🔗

Before RMA 🔗

  1. Confirm Warranty Status
  2. Register products when purchased
  3. Keep receipts/invoices

  4. Check manufacturer warranty period

  5. Document Issues

  6. Take photos/videos of problems
  7. Note all troubleshooting steps
  8. Get error codes/messages

RMA Best Practices 🔗

Advanced Troubleshooting Tools 🔗

Software Tools 🔗

Hardware Tools 🔗

Preventive Maintenance 🔗

Regular Cleaning 🔗

Software Maintenance 🔗

Backup Strategies 🔗