18 You started your new job as a PC tech and are at a customer’s house. The computer has failed to boot. The fan is running but the POST fails every time. What is the best thing to do to possibly find quickly?


a. Check the electrical outlet the computer is plugged into.
b. Reset the DIMMS and remove unnecessary components one at a time.
c. Make sure the monitor cable is is plugged it to video port and the monitor is turned on.
d. Remove the processor and try to reboot the computer with a soft boot.

C, A, B, (in that order) and (D is just ridiculous to have as an answer, no competent tech would even think of powering on a system without the CPU installed on the Motherboard) E: Make sure that the power supply is not blown, (as i've personally seen PSU's power on fans (via 12V rail) but not supply any power to the 5V rail, or 3.3V Rail.

The best thing to do in this situation is to choose option b: reset the DIMMS and remove unnecessary components one at a time. Here's how to go about it:

1. Start by turning off the computer and disconnecting it from the power source.
2. Open the computer case to gain access to the internal components.
3. Locate the DIMM slots (where the RAM modules are inserted) and carefully remove the RAM modules.
4. Clean the contacts on the RAM modules using a clean, lint-free cloth or an eraser. This helps ensure good contact.
5. Reinsert the RAM modules in their respective slots, making sure they are firmly seated.
6. If there are additional components connected to the motherboard (such as expansion cards or extra drives), remove them one at a time.
7. After removing each component, attempt to boot the computer to see if the issue persists. Keep doing this until you have identified the faulty component causing the POST failure.
8. If removing unnecessary components doesn't resolve the issue, you can try reseating other important components like the graphics card, if applicable.
9. Once you have identified the malfunctioning component, you can either replace it or contact the manufacturer or technical support for further assistance.

By going through this process of resetting the DIMMS and removing unnecessary components, you are effectively troubleshooting and isolating the cause of the boot failure, allowing you to narrow down the possible reasons and find a solution more quickly.