BEEP. Beep. Beep. This is probably not what you wanted to hear after you started up the computer.

But no matter how careful you are with the computer, it will just go on the fritz one day due to hardware problems.

Here we'll run through the common problems you will encounter when one of the hardware components in the computer fails.

However, because the computer is such a complex machine, it is not possible to list all the things that can go wrong so we'll run through the most common ones.

BE SAFE: Turn off the power supply and unplug the power cable thatis plugged in to the power supply on the back of the computer before you open up the PC.

Beep me

Instead of starting up as normal, if the computer makes beeping noises, then there is a hardware problem with the computer.

Unfortunately, different Bios types - the part of the computer that kickstarts the hardware components in you computer - use different tunes to tell you what is stopping the PC from booting normally.

Check the motherboard manual to find out the brand of the Bios on your PC - the main vendors are Award, AMI and Phoenix.

Visit www.amptron.com/html/bios.beepcodes.html to find out what is the hardware component that is causing the problem.

If the beeps point to bad memory or graphics card, instead of replacing them, try removing them putting them back because they tend to become loose over time.

Sound of silence

If you don't hear any beeps at all, then this is where things get a little more complicated as you will have to slowly isolate the problem.

So, the only way to figure out what is wrong is to play detective and hunt for the culprit.

But before you look for your Sherlock Holmes cap, it is better for you to look for a working PC.

Because when you have another working PC it is easy to swap up components to find out which are working and which are not.

If one of your friends has a computer, then bring over your PC to his or her place.

Also, before opening up the computer make sure you are free from static by grounding yourself - static is the silent killer of many a PC component.

First scenario: You push the power button and nothing happens. No sound from speakers, no fans spinning and nothing appears on the monitor.

Before you start tinkering with the computer, it is best to make sure that the power cable is not loose and the fuse in the plug hasn't fried.

Just to make sure that the power outlet is okay, try plugging something to it to see if there is power.

Next listen closely to the hard disk. Do you hear it spinning? If you don't, then chances are the power supply or motherboard is dead.

Try borrowing a power supply from a friend to check if this solves the problem.

If your computer doesn't start up even after you have replaced the power supply, then the motherboard is probably not channelling the required power to the other hardware components.

Replacing the motherboard is not an easy task so it is better to just bring the PC to a computer shop and have the technicians confirm that it is faulty.

If the motherboard is faulty and the computer is several years old, you might be better off replacing the entire computer.

Drawing a blank

Second scenario: If the power supply is okay - fans are spinning, LEDs have lighted up or you hear your hard disk spinning but nothing appears on the monitor, then it could be one of three things.

The graphics card, video cable or monitor has gone kaput. If you are using a graphics card - if the monitor is connected to a card that slots into the motherboard - try refitting it because it could have become loose over time.

There is usually a latch at the end of the slot - some require pushing or pulling - before you can remove the graphics card. If it doesn't come out easily don't use force, as you might end up damaging the connectors. Read the manual on how to free it properly.

If that doesn't solve the problem, try borrowing a monitor from a friend. If the monitor is still not displaying anything then chances are that the graphics card it the faulty one.

Monitors have a status light - usually next to the power button - to indicate its state. Green (or in some cases blue) means the monitor is receiving signal from the video card and it is sufficiently powered.

An orange light means the monitor is on standby mode because it is unable to receive video signal and this should only be the case when the computer is powered off.

If the monitor is powered on (check all cables and make sure the power button is on) and there is no status light, the monitor is likely faulty.

Just to be sure, try connecting the monitor to a different power outlet and switch it on to see if it goes into standby mode.

Bad RAM

Third scenario: If the monitor is displaying stuff but it is garbled, it could be due to a faulty graphics card or bad RAM.

Try the easiest solution first - if you have two sticks of RAM, try starting the computer with just one stick.

RAM REMOVAL: Unlatch the retainer springs on each end of the memory socket to remove the memory module. To put it back, make sure the notch on the RAM lines up with the one on the memory socket before pressing it in one side at a time. The retainer springs should snap into place as you do this.

If the computer starts after you have removed one stick of RAM, then to be really sure, you should try starting the computer with the other RAM.

If it doesn't start, you should get the RAM replaced. Most branded RAM modules come with lifetime warranty but most computer vendors will only offer to replace it for free for only the first year.

After that they will expect you to pay minimal service charge (usually RM10 per stick) or expect you to go directly to the distributor. Whatever the case, you should not have to pay for the cost of RAM if it comes with a lifetime warranty.

If that doesn't solve the problem, chances are you need to get the graphics card fixed.

Fourth scenario: If your monitor is working - you can see the Bios routine running - but the computer still won't start then your hard disk may have crashed.

But before you bring the hard disk to a repair shop, read When Windows won?t start.

This story was first published in The Star on 29 April 2008.