Your computer makes a series of beeps when switched on and won't start? That's not a quirk — it's a fault report. We explain how the BIOS talks to you, what typical beep codes mean and why interpreting them correctly matters.
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The lights are on, the fans are whirring, but the screen is empty. It's one of the most common complaints, with a dozen possible causes from a cable to the motherboard. Here's how to tell a simple problem from a serious one.
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Everything runs perfectly in the browser and office apps, but ten minutes into a game the screen goes black and the PC switches off. Here's why games expose hidden faults and how to tell whether the power supply, graphics card or cooling is to blame.
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Every time it's unplugged the computer "forgets" the date, the browser complains about certificates and startup asks you to press F1. The CMOS battery is probably flat — here's what that leads to, and when it isn't the battery at all.
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The USB stick isn't detected, the mouse keeps dropping out and the phone won't charge from the PC. USB faults can be software or hardware — here's how to tell them apart and why it's best not to experiment with a dead port.
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Plug your headphones into the back of the PC and they work; plug them into the front and there's silence or crackling. It's one of the most common complaints from desktop owners. Here's where the problem comes from and why settings alone don't always fix it.
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Touch the metal case of your PC or laptop and feel a tingle? That isn't normal. We explain where the voltage on the case comes from, why it harms equipment and when it's a real danger to people.
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A burning smell from a computer is alarming, and rightly so: sometimes it's just dust on a hot heatsink, sometimes a dead power supply or capacitor. Here's how to tell the difference and what to do in the first few minutes.
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A high whine or buzz from the case that changes with load isn't a fan — it's most likely coil whine. Here's why it happens, whether it's harmful and what can be done about it.
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If several minutes pass between pressing the power button and a usable desktop, the computer's age is rarely the real reason. Here's what actually slows startup down and how it gets fixed.
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The fans are roaring, the computer is sluggish, and Task Manager shows 100% CPU usage at idle. Here's which processes are usually to blame, when it's dangerous, and why simply killing suspicious tasks is a bad idea.
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Running short of RAM is one of the most common reasons a computer feels slow. Here's how to recognise it, how it differs from other problems and why simply buying "any memory stick" is a bad idea.
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Constant 100% disk usage is a classic Windows problem, especially on computers with a hard drive. Here's where it comes from, how to tell a software cause from a dying drive, and what to do so you don't lose your data.
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Screen flicker strains your eyes and almost always points to a specific fault, from a bad cable to a dying graphics card. Here's how the type of flicker reveals the cause and when a repair shouldn't wait.
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"No Signal" means only one thing: the monitor isn't receiving a picture. Why is a harder question. Here are the faults behind that message, from a simple input setting to a failed graphics card.
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Two monitors make you noticeably more productive, but connecting them doesn't always go smoothly. Here's why a computer may not detect a second screen, what limits graphics cards, laptops and docks have, and how to set up a multi-monitor workspace properly.
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Without a keyboard and mouse a computer is a useless box. Here's why input devices stop working, how to tell a keyboard fault from a computer fault, and when it's cheaper to replace rather than repair.
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Sleep mode saves time and power, but sometimes it turns into a lottery: will the computer wake up or will you have to hold the power button? Here's why it happens and why repeated forced shutdowns are harmful.
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A computer switching itself on is unnerving, especially at night. Usually it's down to settings, but sometimes it signals a faulty button, power supply or motherboard. Here's how to tell the difference.
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An old computer isn't a death sentence. Sometimes a new drive and more memory bring it back to life for little money; sometimes it's more honest to buy new straight away. Here's how a technician makes that call with the customer.
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A high average frame rate doesn't guarantee smooth gameplay. Micro-freezes and stutter spoil the experience more than a low frame rate does. Here's where stutter comes from and how it's fixed.
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A powerful computer, yet games run worse than on a friend's weaker machine? It's almost always configuration rather than a fault. Here are the typical mistakes that can eat up to half your performance.
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A computer runs at the speed of its weakest link. Here's a plain-language explanation of bottlenecks, where they most often occur and how they're taken into account when building or upgrading a PC.
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The power supply is the most underrated part of a computer. It's the component people skimp on most, and the one most likely to take the rest of the system with it. Here's why, and how to choose a PSU that protects your computer instead of killing it.
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