Desktop PC Repair Terms
6 terms that explain why a PC won’t start, crashes or overheats, in plain English.
POWER
PSU
The power supply unit that feeds every part of your PC. A failing PSU is one of the most common reasons a desktop won’t turn on.
Read definition →GRAPHICS
GPU
The graphics card or chip that draws everything on screen. Artifacts, driver crashes and black screens in games often point here.
Read definition →STARTUP
POST
The Power-On Self-Test your PC runs before Windows loads. Beeps, warning lights or a stuck logo mean POST found a problem.
Read definition →FIRMWARE
BIOS
The built-in firmware that wakes up your hardware and hands over to Windows. Wrong settings or a failed update can stop a PC booting.
Read definition →SMALL PART, BIG SYMPTOMS
CMOS Battery
The coin battery on the motherboard that keeps the clock and BIOS settings. When it dies, the date resets every time you unplug.
Read definition →ERROR SCREEN
BSOD
Windows’ “Blue Screen of Death” crash. The stop code on screen is a clue to whether drivers, RAM, the drive or heat is to blame.
Read definition →PC won’t start or keeps crashing?
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