Foner Books’ Computer Repair Flowcharts
As far as visual aids in troubleshooting repairs goes, one of the best visual aids is the flowchart, and in the computer repair industry that holds true as well. It’s easier to follow a simple thread from the top down to the bottom than to go from paragraph to paragraph on a wall of text using checklists. On that note, have you ever checked out the Foner Books’ PC Repair Flowchart book?
Here you can view and download some of the charts included in the book, which you can buy here. Eight of the troubleshooting flowcharts are listed on this page, which you can view and use for troubleshooting, such as Power Supply Failure, Video Card and Display, CPU, RAM and Motherboard, Hard Drive Failure, CD and DVD Failure, Modem Failure, and Sound Card Diagnostics. Some are a little old, but most of it still holds true.
Also included is the Boot Failure Troubleshooting Poster, which is a 30″ by 30″ printable PDF file, which you’ll need to zoom into to read it.
While flowcharts are a great way for beginners to get started in diagnostic procedures, these charts aren’t for those new to general computing without any knowledge of basic repairs. There aren’t any descriptions of basic hardware functions, so it’s more for technicians and perhaps beginner Technicians who are looking for a useful way to perform diagnostics and get a routine down. It’s easy for veteran Techs to forget a step or two occasionally, and just missing one step could throw the whole diagnosis off, so it’s a helpful book for experienced Techs as well.
One of the features I appreciated about the book was the approach towards diagnosis procedure that pushes part swapping off as a last resort for those who don’t have a large stock of parts available for that. I don’t usually carry a lot of spare parts around, and even though I do have access to shops that carry spare parts, it’s useful not to have to run and get them if the diagnosis falls short of having to swap them out with another part, especially if I’ll never need to use that part again in its useful lifetime.
You can purchase a paperback version on Amazon or purchase the eBook on their site, and if you’ve already got the book, post a comment below about what you appreciate about it, or what you appreciate about the flowcharts in general.
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Thanks for the info, am unable to find out the boot failure printable pdf, do I have to purchase the book for download ?
right here. http://www.fonerbooks.com/poster.pdf
Thanks pete, download is done
Is this the level of spoon feeding that wannabe so called “Techs” really need? If you need this kind of help you should not be let near a broken PC or Technibble. Broken computer ? Take it to your local computer shop! There is a vast skills difference between being methodical in following a logically structured fault diagnosis and actually having sufficient technical competence to consider billing a customer.
See my comment below.
@William- Although I understand what your point there is no harm in collecting information and supplying it to the masses especially when it falls on the direct topics discussed through out this site.
@Micah- Thank you for the post and please continue a wonderful job of supplying everyone with a treasure trove of information.
The discussion on skills and certification https://www.technibble.com/certifications-vs-experience-tech-industry/ may explain my point of view. And if I may expand on my earlier comment – understanding is vital too. Thus:
“There is a vast skills difference between being methodical in following a logically structured fault diagnosis, like a trained monkey, and actually having sufficient competence and technical understanding of the whys and wherefores to consider billing a customer”
IMHO as a forum member
All techs seem to do something different. You see it in the forum all the time. Everyone seems to have their own way to diag something. However there is nothing wrong at all with following a pre-definded flow chart that is known to work. Its all about getting to the fix as fast as possible using all tools at your disposal. If we use google to help find a answer is that worng? Should we not be around computers cause we don’t know the answer to start with?
A simple process to follow for most issues is always a good idea and in the end is cheaper for the customer. If that process does not work then you need to dig deeper.
Mike,
Thanks for the shout-out. Just wanted to note that you linked to the 2nd edition on Amazon, which is from 2008. The 3rd edition came out last year, ISBN is 0972380183.
Morris
Updated the link. Thank you!
As a support for understanding, a flowchart (and checklists) can be immensely helpful. They are also helpful in preventing oversight mistakes by trained personnel.
One day, while an enlisted man in the USCG, I was in the avionics shop when the call came in from a helo warming up on the tarmac. The UHF did not work. I said, “OK, I’ll come out and turn it on for you.” In point of fact, I was qualified to remove and repair the unit. So, I checked cables and the fuse. All OK. Then I asked the pilot to check the control head. And, indeed, they had skipped the pilot’s checklist item which said to turn on the UHF. They did so, and it worked.
We all had a good-natured grin about that.
I believe that every process that has repeatable steps including decisions does well when a well-written checklist or flowchart is ready to hand.
Even Johns Hopkins Medical Center (you know, THE Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore) has checklists in its ICU:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/innovation_quality_patient_care/areas_expertise/improve_patient_safety/icu_safety/
Bob Stromberg
Yes. But they have competent experienced and qualified staff. Trauma (A&E) and Computer Repair are 2 places you don’t want staffed by someone with a Noddy Guide or Cliffs Notes as a substitute for understanding and competence.
It’s a helpful reference, that’s it. Ever notice how lawyers have law books in their offices? Do you accuse them of incompetence for having them? Jesus, what’s with all the attitude about having computer reference books? You are threatened by books?
I fail to see why all the bickering over it all too.
Morris has wrote some great books in the past, to help the up and coming tech’s, and even offering advice to the seasoned veterans.
If your a newby tech, and are unsure about some of the hardware aspects of our job, then these books are a god send to them. Giving straight forward details of what the most likely culprit is.
Calm down folks.
Point I was attempting to make … We are all too famililar with the “tech support” phone lines where the usually unskilled customer support person works through a procedure eg a flowchart and eventually hands you over to a Real qualified tech. Their, support first line, inability to to understand your fault description and recognise the problem thus bypassing the next million pointless questions, is symptomatic of “following the bouncing ball”. Yes, as a process it is efficient and cuts down on oversights and dead ends. However understanding the why you do what you do is important as well.
That is all I have to say.
The Library of Congress has thousands of books. The value of a book is the knowledge contained therein. Possessing a book is not the same as understanding the subject matter. Unless you can read, understand and apply that knowledge then a book is just a dead tree on a shelf.
@Cadishead Computer
No point having a “comments” area if divergence from the populist view is unwanted.
Anything that helps us do our job better and cuts down time is great !!!
is there a already draw PNG or JPEG version? The instructions are bit un-clear. If there is a version drawn from a flowchart software like http://creately.com please publish. Thanks for sharing!
Wow.. Look at all the elitist nobs getting off on acting superior for not wanting/needing tips.
Why are you all on a Tech info site if you know everything there is to know about tech :)?
Dear “Michael”
It is somewhat disingenuous, erroneous and inflammatory to suggest that the posts of just 2 people is in anyway equivalent to, or representative of, “ALL” of the Technibble forum membership. Technibble does not encourage, condone or tolerate “Elitism” or any other warped Orwellian 1984 style of egalitarianism.
As in the “Kung Fu Panda” there is no Level 0 of ability as a prerequisite to enter the IT industry. You can wake up tomorrow and declare unto the world that you are an IT tech. Well that’s nice, and shows great entrepreneurial vision or perhaps just a naive rose tinted appreciation of what is required.
The divergent comments above merely express a view that a flowchart is not a replacement for actually having an understanding of your chosen field. How you achieve that indeterminately vague level is entirely your choice. There is an ongoing thread on “pizza techs” should you need further insights.
Fortunately you have already found this forum, and can freely take advantage of the wealth of technical information and business acumen from the competent, experienced, qualified people here. Alternatively join the forum and participate in the discussions for the greater good of the membership. You could also reconsider your prima facie statement regarding “Elitists” based on your personal experience of being a forum member.
If I may make a personal reply to your eloquent comment and associated question:
1a. “Elitist” No, I’m just dead good at what I do.
1b. “Nobs” They are greatly over rated. I’m yet to find one that’s impressed me technically or otherwise.
2. Why am I here? That could require a deeply philosophical reply. Alternatively, as Marshal MacLuhan said “You know nothing of my work” and, furthermore I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request to justify my presence here or elsewhere.
See you around the forum.
Send me a pm.
Yes. I know the “more equal than others” concept is from “Animal Farm” not “1984” :rolleyes:
“Annabel Smith”, did you need a flowchart for that reply?
No, but here is one I made especially for you.
Forum Member? -> Yes -> Send me a PM -> Yes -> -> |
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No
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