The computer that only beeps
A teacher switches on her PC. The screen stays black. The PC beeps three times, then stops.
It cannot show a message, so it speaks in beeps. Your job is to understand what it is saying.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can read a fault indicator and use it to find the cause of a fault.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fault | something that is not working as it should | |
| Indicator | a sign that tells you what is wrong | |
| Error number | a code that stands for one kind of fault | 404 |
| Error message | words on screen that describe a fault | |
| Beep code | a pattern of beeps that names a hardware fault | |
| Blink code | a pattern of flashing lights that names a fault | |
| Diagnose | work out the cause of a fault |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
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3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Four ways a fault shows itself
An error message is words on the screen, such as "File not found".
An error number is a code, such as 404 on a web page. It is short, so you can search for it.
A beep code is a pattern of beeps from the PC when it starts. A blink code is a pattern of flashes on a light.
Which indicator, and when
| Indicator | Where you meet it | Software or hardware? |
|---|---|---|
| Error message | On the screen, while a program or the system runs | Mostly software |
| Error number | Beside a message, in a log or on a web page | Both |
| Beep code | At switch on, before the screen works | Hardware |
| Blink code | On a printer or laptop light | Hardware |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
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Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.