|
Please keep in mind that I am NOT a certified computer technician. All I
provide is basic troubleshooting for my teachers. Below are a few tips and
simple things to try before reporting problems to the real techies.
- Check the cables. A lot of glitches are caused because something's
simply loosened. Tighten everything, and then try again.
- Reboot. Rebooting will often clear problems so that a machine works
right.
- If it will not reboot the normal way (if it's stuck "on"), hold the
power button in for five seconds and it will automatically turn off.
- Check to see if everything is plugged in and turned on. Often a cord
will be loose or a button will have been pushed, and power has accidentally
been turned off.
- Make sure the monitor is turned on.
- Be sure that disks and CDs have been removed from the machine before
rebooting it.
- Remove any Spyware (use
Spybot
Search & Destroy or
Ad-Aware).
- Install any updates from Microsoft (if you're using a PC). Keep these
updates current!
- Make sure virus definitions are up to date. If you don't have a virus
scan, use a free online one like
HouseCall from Trend Micro or
Panda Active Scan at least weekly.
- Write down any error messages that appear on your screen. You may need
these if you end up reporting the problem for repair.
- If you're installing software, READ the documentation that came with it.
Don't just assume you can pop the CD into the computer and have it work.
- Have you just changed something on your computer? If you have, chances
are good that the problem is related to the change you made. Backtrack,
perhaps uninstall or change the settings back to the default.
- If you have WinXP, you can use System Restore. I would not recommend
doing this too often, however. It should be used as a last resort if other
troubleshooting efforts have failed.
- Get rid of all of those cute little toolbars, search bars, and email
"helpers" (like those little smilies). The only toolbar I recommend that you
install is the Google toolbar or
Dave's toolbar.. Those others might be
cute, but they often cause headaches and come with other installations you
don't want.
- Use Diagnostic tools like Scandisk and Disk Cleanup. Defrag whenever
necessary. For directions on how to do all of these, look at the
PowerPoint Presentation.
- Install a firewall, especially if you're on cable.
ZoneAlarm is a good one and has a free version available.
Check out this
PowerPoint Presentation I made for an Inservice. It contains tips on keeping
your computer running at optimal performance.
A great resource for helping you with computer problems is
The PCGuide.
Programs to AVOID installing (don't do it, no matter how cute and helpful
they may seem!):
- Toolbars (except the Google or Dave ones mentioned above)
- Incredimail
- Screensavers and/or wallpapers that you find on the Internet (if you do
install one, read it very carefully to make sure no other surprises are
included).
- Hotbar
- Any P2P sharing programs like KaZaa
- Gator
- Bonzaibuddy
- Cometcursor
- Ezula
- Zupiter
|
