Editing Help:Writing a repair guide (section)

== Troubleshooting Guide Template ==

A troubleshooting guide should use '''diagnostic tables''' with three columns:

<pre>
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+ '''Problem Category'''
|-
! Symptom !! Probable Cause !! Recommended Action
|-
| Description of what the user sees || What's likely wrong || What to do about it
|}
</pre>

Standard sections:
# '''Preliminary Checks''' — basic power and visual inspection
# '''Voltage Reference Table''' — all power rails with expected values
# '''No Power / Dead Unit''' — power supply chain faults
# '''No Video / Display Issues''' — video output problems
# '''No Audio''' — sound faults
# '''Input Device Issues''' — controller/keyboard faults
# '''Disc/Media Errors''' — optical drive or floppy issues (if applicable)
# '''Component-Level Tests''' — clock frequencies, oscilloscope readings, chip-level diagnostics
# '''Quick-Fix Flowcharts''' — decision trees for common problems

=== Writing Good Diagnostic Tables ===
* '''Start with the most common cause''' — list probable causes in priority order
* '''Be actionable''' — every "Recommended Action" should tell the reader exactly what to do
* '''Include test values''' — "Measure 5V at pin 21" is better than "Check the power supply"
* '''Cross-reference''' — link to the maintenance guide and capacitor guide