This basic guide is split into 2 sections types; Know and Act. The sections marked as Know explain why to do what is suggested. The sections marked Act give you the actual troubleshooting tip. By knowing and acting, you can learn and improve your troubleshooting tips. Enjoy!
TIP 1
Know : The computer issue you are having could be hardware, software or even network related.
Act: Pay attention to the error message. It will clue you in on what is really causing the problem.
It’s surprising how many people shut those error message down without reading them! It’s the first thing an IT technician would look for, so read the message for clues on what you can do to fix the problem, or at least to tell your IT technician, if you do end up calling in help.
Try using your search engine to search for the error code. Chances are, someone else has had the same problem, and can offer a do it yourself solution.
TIP 2
Know: A sudden black computer screen usually indicates a memory failure in your computer. It is usually caused by having too many computer programs in use at once, or trying to process to much data at once. If you were multitasking and experienced a sudden failure, this might have been the cause. If this happens to you often, you may need to upgrade your hardware.
Act: Simply shut down and restart the computer. It’s amazing what those little circuits can sort out just be having a chance to reboot. A shut down stops all processes that your circuits where trying to perform, and allows them to start over.
Any call centre or IT technician you call will ask you to do this as the very first step anyhow. Save time; skip the call, shut down and restart, and see if you can solve the computer issue yourself.
TIP 3
Know: Many people aren’t aware that they are running multiple versions of the same type of software. This is especially true with antivirus. Running multiple programs may significantly slow down your computer, and cause performance to freeze.
Act: Check your list of installed programs. Uninstall unnecessary programs, and choose a single antivirus for everyday use.
Computers are complex, however these basic tips can help you correct common minor issues on your own.
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