What to test when a desktop PC arrives by courier

Your new desktop has arrived, but a box can look fine while a computer or accessory inside has been knocked around. Before you discard the packaging or move on with your setup, check for visible damage, start the PC safely, and test the parts you can use.

Test Everything runs browser-based checks step by step and gives you a report. Use it after the physical inspection, and keep photos and notes in case you need to contact the seller or courier.

Check the PC after delivery

1. Before unpacking, photograph the shipping box from all sides, including dents, punctures, crushed corners, and the shipping label. Keep the box, inserts, and protective foam until you know the PC works.
2. With the PC still unplugged, inspect the case, glass panel, feet, ports, and power cable. Look for cracks, bent connectors, loose parts moving inside, or signs of liquid. If you see serious damage or smell something unusual, do not power it on. Photograph the issue and contact the seller.
3. Set the PC on a stable surface with clear space around its vents. Connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If the PC has a separate graphics card, connect the monitor to the ports on that card rather than the motherboard ports. Check that the monitor is on the correct input.
4. Turn on the PC and watch the first startup. Note any warning message, repeated restart, unusual grinding or rattling, or smell of burning. Do not keep trying to start it if it shuts down or makes a concerning noise.
5. Once the desktop loads, open Test Everything and follow its test steps. Use the report to check the hardware and connected devices that matter to your setup. Stay nearby, and stop if the PC becomes unusually hot, noisy, or unstable.
6. Save the test report and make a short note of the date, symptoms, and which cables or accessories were connected. Keep the original photos and files together with your order details.

What the results mean

The PC starts and the checks complete normally

This is a useful first check that the parts the browser can test are responding. It does not prove that every component is free of shipping damage or that the computer will remain reliable. Keep the report and watch for problems during ordinary use.

The PC starts, but a device is missing

A missing keyboard, mouse, camera, microphone, or speaker result may mean the device is disconnected, disabled, or unavailable to the browser. Check the physical connection and try another port before treating it as a failed part. Some tests need browser permission, and a desktop may not have a built-in camera or microphone.

The monitor stays black or shows no signal

The computer may be running while the monitor is connected to the wrong output, set to the wrong input, or switched off. A black screen alone does not prove that the PC itself is faulty. Check the monitor cable and its connection at both ends.

A test fails, freezes, or the PC shuts down

Repeat an ordinary check once after you have ruled out a loose cable or a browser problem. If the same hardware check fails, or the PC freezes, restarts, or becomes unusually hot, record what happened and stop testing. A browser report can help describe the symptom, but it cannot diagnose every internal fault.

How to handle problems

1. Stop if there is physical damage. Do not power on a PC with a cracked case, liquid, exposed wiring, a broken power connector, or a loose object inside. Take clear photos and ask the seller how to proceed before opening the case or attempting a repair.
2. Check the monitor connection. Confirm that the monitor is powered on and using the input for the cable you connected. Reseat the cable at both ends. If a graphics card is installed, try its video outputs rather than the motherboard outputs.
3. Reconnect external devices. Unplug and reconnect the keyboard, mouse, and other accessories. Try a different USB port, preferably one directly on the PC instead of a hub. Then repeat the relevant browser check.
4. Check display settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and confirm that the monitor is detected and set to a supported resolution. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays. If the monitor is missing there too, test a known-good cable or monitor if you have one.
5. Check app and browser access. If a camera or microphone test cannot see a connected device, confirm that the browser has permission and that another app is not using it. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera or Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera or System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone.
6. Contact the seller while the return period is open. Share the order number, photos, the exact symptom, and the relevant test result. Ask before opening the case, removing parts, or installing replacement components, since those actions can affect the return or warranty process.

When the PC may have shipping damage

Take a damaged or unreliable PC seriously even if it starts. A loose internal component can cause intermittent problems, and a power supply should not be opened by the owner. Do not shake the case to locate a noise or keep running tests to see whether a shutdown happens again.

If the case is visibly damaged, a part appears loose, or the computer repeatedly fails under normal use, stop and contact the seller or manufacturer. Send the photographs and report, and follow their instructions for a return, replacement, or authorized inspection. Keep the packaging until the issue is resolved.

What a browser check can and cannot show

Test Everything checks the computer through the browser. It can help identify whether supported devices respond, but it cannot inspect the inside of the case, verify that every connection is secure, or establish when damage occurred. Some details are also limited by what the browser and operating system make available.

For the clearest record, test with the PC on a stable surface, connected directly to power, and without unnecessary apps running. If you need to return it, preserve the original packaging and avoid making changes the seller has not approved.