How to diagnose if your computer is broken, how to solve each cause and symptom

This time, we will explain how to diagnose whether your computer has malfunctioned, and how to resolve the cause and symptoms.

If your computer is behaving strangely or not starting up, some people may be worried that it may be malfunctioning.

It's possible that your computer is broken, but it's also possible that the cause is a temporary problem, so please refer to this and check.

If your computer screen is black or won't start, is it malfunctioning? Examples of symptoms and solutions

In this article, we will explain how to solve the problem when the computer screen is black and the computer does not start up.

Please check if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• If the computer screen is black
• If your computer doesn't start
• If your computer makes strange or unusual noises
• If your computer suddenly restarts
• If your computer frequently freezes, freezes, or runs slowly
• If your computer turns into a blue screen or becomes a blue screen

Depending on the symptoms, it may be a temporary problem or the cause may be a failure or deterioration of the HDD, so let's check the solution depending on what kind of symptoms are occurring.

If the computer screen is black

If your computer screen is completely black, first check to see if your monitor is turned on. At the same time, check that the cable between your computer and monitor is firmly connected.

There is a possibility that the problem is temporary, so try restarting the monitor by holding down the power button for a long time and see if the screen is displayed.

If the monitor is turned on but remains black, try connecting it to another monitor or TV. If the screen appears there, the original monitor may be defective.

If there is no problem with the monitor and the computer screen is completely black, there may be a problem with the computer itself, so please refer to the next section ``If the computer does not start''.

If your computer doesn't start

If your computer does not start, first check the following points.

• Is the power cord connected properly?
• Is the monitor turned on?
• Is the cable damaged?
• Is there dust buildup inside the computer?

If your computer still does not start after checking the above, you may need to replace the memory or power supply unit.
Also, if the BIOS is damaged, you may need to replace the motherboard or initialize the BIOS.

If your computer does not boot at all, but you cannot proceed beyond the manufacturer's logo, or if the OS does not boot, please refer to the article below.
→Causes and solutions when the computer does not start but the logo appears

If your computer makes strange or unusual noises

If your computer makes unusual noises such as crunching, jijijiji, or rattling noises, the HDD or fan may be the culprit.

There is no problem if the "seek sound" that the HDD makes when reading or writing data is not a problem, but there are cases where abnormal noises occur due to physical abnormalities inside the HDD (such as misalignment of the magnetic head).
If you hear a "clicking" sound or a scratching sound such as "keys", please turn off the power immediately as there is a risk of the magnetic head rubbing and damaging the data reading surface.
In this case, it would be best to make a backup if possible and replace it with a new HDD or SSD, or consult a professional.

Also, if you hear a rattling noise, a cord or other part may be in contact with the fan. Check the inside of your computer and wrap up the cords so they don't get tangled.

The following article also explains abnormal noises, so please refer to them.
→We also explain the causes and solutions for unusual noises from your PC, and what to do if the fan is noisy.

If your computer suddenly restarts

If your computer suddenly restarts, the following may be the cause:

• Due to Windows Update
• System malfunction
• Driver malfunction
• infected with a virus

If Windows Update is performed automatically, the computer may suddenly restart.
In this case, there is no problem once the update is complete.

Also, if your computer system has a problem and repeatedly fails to boot, it may run an automatic repair system and then restart.

A sudden restart may also occur if there is a problem with the driver of a peripheral device. In this case, try reinstalling the driver using the steps below.

[How to reinstall the driver]

1. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select "Device Manager".
3. Select the appropriate device and open the tree.
4. Right-click the relevant driver and select "Delete".
5. After deletion, restart your computer and the driver will be reinstalled.

In addition, there are cases where the computer suddenly restarts as a result of being infected with a virus. Use antivirus software to scan for viruses.

If your computer frequently freezes, freezes, or runs slowly

If your computer frequently freezes, freezes, or runs slowly, the following may be the cause:

• Insufficient memory
• App malfunction
• HDD deterioration/malfunction/lack of capacity
• Communication environment

There are cases where your computer's memory and other specifications are insufficient for the app you are using.
Open the task manager (Ctrl key + Shift key + Esc key) and check if memory or CPU usage is abnormally high.

If your computer becomes slow when using a specific app, other than a lack of specs, it may be due to a problem with the app.
We recommend updating the app or moving to another app if the issue cannot be improved.

In addition, there are cases where the computer becomes slow due to the HDD being full or the HDD itself deteriorating.
If you have been using the same HDD for many years and the disk usage rate is high in Task Manager, it is a good idea to take a backup before replacing it.

If your computer slows down when you open a website or use an app that requires communication, your communication environment may be affected. Let's check what the current communication environment is like.
You can measure your communication speed at the following site.
→USEN Speed Test

The following article also explains this issue.
→Explaining how to find out why your computer is slow or heavy and how to deal with it

If your computer turns into a blue screen or becomes a blue screen

If your computer turns into a blue screen, the following may be the cause:

• Device driver failure
• System file problems
• If the problem is caused by security software
• Memory or external device issues
• HDD problem
• Impact of the update

The following article also explains the causes and solutions for blue screens.
We also explain the error codes that appear on the blue screen, so please use this as a reference.
→Causes of blue screen errors in Windows 10 and how to fix them

Ranking of computer failure causes

There are many reasons why computers break down, but the most common causes are as follows.

• HDD physical failure
• HDD logical failure
• Display problem, keyboard problem

HDD failures are especially common in older computers.
I will explain each of the following items one by one.

HDD physical failure

For older computers, the most common cause of failure is physical HDD failure.
Although HDDs are susceptible to shocks, if they are used for many years or dropped, the magnetic head and disk may come into contact, causing scratches on the disk.

If HDD failure occurs due to physical damage or deterioration, data may eventually become corrupted. If you notice any symptoms, make a backup as soon as possible and replace the HDD.

HDD logical failure

Logical failures are the second most common cause of HDD failures after physical failures.
Logical failures are caused by file system problems or sudden power cuts, rather than physical corruption or deterioration.

If such a logical failure occurs, problems such as a blue screen or being unable to open data may occur.

Unlike physical failures, logical failures may be resolved by error checking.

Display problem, keyboard problem

Following HDD failures, the most common problems are display problems and keyboard problems.

If the display does not appear, it is possible that the display itself is malfunctioning or that the connection between the display and the computer is not working properly.

There are cases where the keyboard is not able to input properly due to water being spilled inside the keyboard, or due to dust, etc.
There is also a possibility that the problem is due to a problem with the device driver, so you may want to try reinstalling it.

How to identify the cause of computer failure

The cause of a computer failure may be identified by looking at the symptoms that appear, as listed above.

If the screen does not appear, it may be due to the display or power supply, or if the computer is running slowly, it may be due to insufficient specifications or the communication environment.

It is also important to check to see if your computer has been subjected to any shocks recently while operating it, or if there is any possibility that water may have been spilled on it.

In this way, in order to find out why your computer broke down or what is causing the problem, it is best to check the symptoms that appeared and how it was used in the past.

How to diagnose if your computer is broken for free

If you want to diagnose whether there is a problem with your computer's hardware, it is best to use each manufacturer's hardware diagnostic tools.
The hardware diagnostic tool allows you to diagnose whether there are any failures in parts such as the HDD or memory.

Each manufacturer has their own hardware diagnostic tools, so how to use them is different. Please check the manufacturer of your computer and check the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to use the tool.

Signs that your computer will break down or break down

Signs that your computer will malfunction or break include the following:

• Slower and heavier
• Error messages often appear
• The power suddenly turns off
• There's a strange noise

If your computer completely breaks down, you may not be able to recover your important data.
Therefore, it is recommended that you make a backup if you notice any abnormalities.

In this article, we will explain the signs of a computer malfunction.

Slower and heavier

A possible sign that your computer will break down or break down is if it becomes slow or heavy.

If the operation becomes slow, it is most likely due to deterioration of the HDD rather than the computer itself. If you are not lacking in specs but have been experiencing slow operation recently, you may want to consider replacing the HDD.

Error messages often appear

One of the signs that your computer will malfunction or break down is that it frequently displays error messages.

If you frequently receive error messages or blue screens, there may be some kind of hardware problem.
In this case, it is better to take a backup if possible and then perform hardware diagnostics and error checking to find the cause.

The power suddenly turns off

If your computer suddenly turns off frequently, it may be a sign of a malfunction or failure.

If the power continues to turn off even after you have taken measures to correct the cause, such as thermal runaway or power shortage caused by dust accumulation on the computer, the computer may eventually become unable to start.
Therefore, if the power goes out for too long, we recommend backing up your data and contacting the manufacturer or specialist.

There's a strange noise

If your computer makes strange noises other than HDD seek sounds, it may be a sign of failure.

Also, if the noise continues even after organizing and cleaning the cables around the fan, it may be due to deterioration of other parts or the HDD, so you should take a backup and turn off the power as soon as possible.

What if your computer breaks down? Explanation about repair and replacement

Once you discover that your computer is malfunctioning, we do not recommend continuing to use it. If you continue to use it as is, you may lose your data.

In this case, you have two choices: send your computer in for repair or buy a new one.

This article explains when to send your computer in for repair and when to buy a new computer.

When requesting computer repair from a professional

If your computer breaks down, one option is to send it in for repair.

If you send your computer in for repair, you will generally have to contact the manufacturer or a contractor.
First, check to see if your computer is covered by the manufacturer's warranty when you purchase it. If it is within the warranty period, the product may be repaired free of charge. Please note that charges may apply depending on the content.

If you are requesting repairs from a contractor instead of the manufacturer, we recommend that you get a competitive quote, as the prices vary depending on the vendor.
However, there are some cases, such as spilled water or juice, where it is better to send it in for repair as soon as possible.
If you feel that you cannot deal with the problem on your own, it is best to seek help as soon as possible.

Regarding disposal and data transfer when purchasing a new computer

If your computer breaks down and you decide to buy a new one, we recommend that you back up your data for data transfer.

You can back up your data to a new HDD/SSD or upload it to the cloud.

If you wish to dispose of your device, you may be able to collect it from the manufacturer, computer shop, or electronics retailer, so you may want to use that service.

Also, when disposing of your old computer, be sure to completely erase all data to protect your personal information. Depending on the collection destination, data deletion services may be provided.

→How to completely erase data when disposing of a Windows 10 or 11 computer

A summary of how to diagnose if your computer is broken, and how to solve each cause and symptom.

This time, we explained how to diagnose if your computer is broken, and how to resolve the cause and symptoms.

If your computer is acting strangely, there are many cases where you don't know if there is a problem in the first place.
Therefore, if you feel that something is a little off, we recommend that you take steps to deal with the symptoms.

Additionally, if your computer or HDD breaks down, you may not be able to retrieve your data. Even if you try to take a backup from a failing HDD, it may fail due to the load. It is important to back up your data on a regular basis, especially if you have important data.