Hardware and Endpoint Device Support
Components and their failure symptoms
A desktop or laptop is CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, power supply or battery, cooling, and peripherals. Learn the signature of each failure: RAM faults produce random crashes and POST beep codes; failing storage produces slow boots, clicking, or SMART warnings; a weak PSU produces unexpected shutdowns under load or during startup; overheating produces throttling and loud fans. RAM is volatile working memory, storage is non-volatile - questions often swap the two, so read carefully.
Form factors and connectors
Laptops use SO-DIMM memory and M.2 storage (NVMe or SATA); desktops use DIMM slots and 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. USB-C carries data, power, and often video; Thunderbolt adds PCIe bandwidth. HDMI carries video and audio; DisplayPort is common on monitors. A docking station usually fails at the connector, the driver, or its power supply - test in that order before replacing the dock.
Printers and peripherals
Laser printers use toner and a fuser, which gets hot - never touch it during service. Inkjets use ink cartridges and clog when idle. Most print failures are consumables, a paper path obstruction, or a stalled queue and driver, so check the queue before swapping hardware.
Safety
Power off and unplug before servicing, use an ESD strap, and never open a power supply.
Rule of thumb
No power, no POST - strip to the minimum configuration (CPU, one stick of RAM, power) and add components back one at a time. Worked example: a PC powers on, fans spin, but there is no display. Reseat RAM and video, test one stick at a time, then swap in known-good parts; do not order a motherboard first.