Automated System For Troubleshooting Personal Computers

Computer Science Project Material with Source Code Included

Abstract

This research study examined automated system for troubleshooting personal computer (PC), using Digital Center, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic as a case study. The system was necessary to develop because personal computer users encounter problems and they can only solve this problem with the help of a human expert. Findings revealed that many people do not know how to maintain their computer systems due to limited knowledge on how to troubleshoot and the systems eventually break down. This can also be traced to the absence of an expert system that will help users fix system issues and troubleshoot PC problems. A software system has been developed to address this problem. The programming language used is Visual Basic 6.0 and the codes have been source-listed.

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

Troubleshooting implies diagnosing a problem in order to know the cause and proffer corresponding solution while maintenance refers to work that is done to keep a device or equipment in good working condition. Troubleshooting and maintenance is necessary to elongate the life span of any device. According to Wikipedia, Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair of failed products or processes. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem so that it can be solved, and so the product or process can be made operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to develop and maintain complex systems where the symptoms of a problem can have many possible causes. Personal Computer (PC) problems can have many possible causes and this can be solved with the aid of a troubleshooting software aimed at solving laser PC problems. Troubleshooting requires identification of the malfunction(s) or symptoms within a system. Then, experience is commonly used to generate possible causes of the symptoms. Determining which cause is most likely is often a process of elimination – eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification of, or diagnosis of “trouble” in the management flow of a corporation or a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying to the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example selecting the “print” option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example).

An automated system can be developed to aid users in diagnosing system problems. Windows operating system for instance have troubleshooting programs that asks the user questions and also provide possible causes and solutions. This is the job of expert systems, they help in performing tasks that can be done by human experts. An automated system for the troubleshooting of personal computers is therefore an artificial intelligence based system that provides a knowledge base of personal computer problems and solutions for easy troubleshooting.

1.1 Theoretical Background

The technology adopted to implement the automated system for troubleshooting personal computer is Visual BASIC and Microsoft Access. A user interface is created using Visual BASIC 6.0 The record can be saved to and queried from the database which is Microsoft Access 2003. Adodc data control was used to link Visual BASIC 6.0 to the database. The source code below is used to login to the system.

Private Sub Command1_Click()

If Text1.Text = “INI” And Text2.Text = “INI” Then

Form1.Show

Unload Me

Else

MsgBox “UNAUTHOURIZED ACCESS”

End If

End Sub

1.2 Statement of Problem

Many computer users are troubled over the rate of breakdown and malfunction of their computer systems. Most times the problems arise as a result of the lack of regular maintenance activities and inability to troubleshoot personal computer problems. In addition, since a computer system may contain important files, the lack of proper maintenance may bring about data loss if the system breaks down because of virus attacks and other system threats. Also, the inexperience of computer users on how to troubleshoot the computer system with minor problems also brings about the problem of system breakdown it is in view of these problems that this research study is carried out to design and implement an automated system for the troubleshooting of computers.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to develop an automated system for troubleshooting personal computers. The following are the specific objectives:

To aid users to be able to troubleshoot Personal Computer (PC) problems even in the absence of human experts.
To provide a software system to aid maintenance of disk problems using disk utilities.
To develop a system that can be used to troubleshoot Sound, Monitor and Hard Disk problems
To develop a software application that can be used to activate utility software programs that will fix system issues.

1.4 Scope of the Study

This study covers automated system for troubleshooting personal computers and it is limited to common personal computer problems.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is that it will aid personal computer problems troubleshoot basic PC problems, it will aid in system maintenance. Also the study will serve as a useful reference material to other researchers seeking similar information.

1.6 Organization of the Research

This research work is organized into five chapters.

Chapter one is concerned with the introduction of the research study and it presents the preliminaries, theoretical background, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.
Chapter two focuses on the literature review, the contributions of other scholars on the subject matter is discussed.
Chapter three is concerned with the system analysis and design. It presents the research methodology, analyzes the present system to identify the problems and provides information on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed system. The system design is also presented in this chapter.
Chapter four presents the system implementation and documentation. The choice of programming language, analysis of modules, choice of programming language and system requirements for implementation.
Chapter five focuses on the summary, conclusion and recommendations are provided in this chapter based on the study carried out.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Maintenance:

Work that is done regularly to keep a machine, building, or piece of equipment in good working condition.

Control System:

An interconnection of components forming a system configuration that will provide a desired system response.

Troubleshooting:

The act or process of identifying and eliminating problems or faults, especially in electronic or computer equipment.

Virus:

A contagious computer program that is part of another and inserts copies of itself, often damaging the integrity of stored data.

Antivirus:

A program that if installed in a computer system will fight against computer virus and prevent them from infecting or corrupting the files in a computer system.

Utility Program:

A computer program that performs routine tasks and supports operations, that helps in the maintenance of the computer system.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the summary, conclusion, constraints of the study and offers useful recommendations.

5.1 Constraints of the Study

In carrying out the research work, some challenges were faced that limited the study such as:

Time:

The time given for the completion of the research work was too short hence the researcher had speed up the research work to meet up and this has an impact on the study.

Limited Materials:

Few materials were found pertaining to the research area and this limited the bulk of the literature review.

Finance:

The high cost of textbooks, internet browsing and transportation to different libraries to gather materials stood as a constraint to the research work.

5.2 Summary

In this era of proliferation of personal computers, there is need for the development of PC troubleshooting systems that will enable users of personal computers solve common problems without consulting an expert all the time. A human expert will be consulted only when the problem is beyond the scope of the solutions proffered by the software.

5.3 Conclusion

Automated system for Personal Computer troubleshooting is an expert system that aids users fix PC problems and also educates the user by providing solution to specific problems.

5.4 Recommendation

The following recommendations are offered based on the findings of the research study:

More research should be encouraged in the area of troubleshooting system for personal computers.
Computer programmers should work with maintenance engineers in developing the troubleshooting system.
PC users should be encouraged to use troubleshooting systems to fix common problems

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