How do you determine if a PC boot failure is caused by a hardware or a software issue?

2 Listen for beep codes

If your PC has power but still doesn't boot, listen for any beeps that come from the motherboard speaker. These are called beep codes and they indicate what kind of hardware error is preventing the boot. You can look up the meaning of the beep codes on your motherboard manual or online. For example, one long beep and two short beeps might mean a video card problem. If you hear no beeps at all, it could mean a dead motherboard, CPU, or RAM.

3 Remove or replace hardware components

To isolate the faulty hardware component, you can try removing or replacing some parts one by one. Start with the easiest ones, such as the external devices, the RAM sticks, the video card, and the hard drive. If you have more than one of each, try swapping them or using only one at a time. If you remove a part and the PC boots, you've found the culprit. If not, put it back and try another one.

4 Boot into safe mode or recovery mode

If your PC tries to boot but gets stuck or crashes, it could be a software issue. To diagnose this, you can try booting into safe mode or recovery mode. These are special modes that load only the essential drivers and programs, bypassing any potential conflicts or errors. To access these modes, you need to press a certain key or combination of keys during the boot process. This varies depending on your operating system and PC model, but some common ones are F8, F11, Shift+F8, or Esc.

5 Scan for viruses and malware

Another possible cause of boot failure is a virus or malware infection. These malicious programs can corrupt or delete important system files, preventing your PC from booting normally. To fix this, you need to scan your PC with an antivirus or anti-malware software. You can do this from safe mode or recovery mode, or use a bootable USB or CD that contains the software. Follow the instructions on the screen to scan and remove any threats.

6 Repair or reinstall the operating system

If none of the above steps work, you might need to repair or reinstall your operating system. This is the last resort, as it can erase your personal data and settings. To repair your operating system, you need to use a recovery disk or partition that came with your PC or that you created beforehand. This will try to fix any damaged or missing system files without affecting your data. To reinstall your operating system, you need to use an installation disk or USB that contains the same or a newer version of your operating system. This will wipe your hard drive and install a fresh copy of the system.