What is wrong with my Computer?
Last Updated: August 16, 2006
When a computer stops working, how do you know where to look? It may seem like a daunting task at first, but with some patience and follow the basic steps below, you can find out exactly what's wrong with your computer.
First thing first, check for something obvious!
So often I get a frantic phone call that seem like a complex technical problem, but it turned out to be something simple. Always check the cables! A loose network cable will make the Internet stop working. A unplugged mouse may make the computer computer freeze. So always check the simple stuff first; make sure the mouse and keyboards are plugged-in, and power cable is tight and secure.
Make sure the symptom can be duplicated several times.
It is very important to reproduce the symtom. If the browser crashes everytime you go to a specific web sit, remember that. You may not be able to fix these types of problems righ away, but a good dianosis is always the key to recovery.
Try to isolate the problem.
Is it a hardware problem or is it in the software? Is it a bad mouse, or is it human error? Did someone else use the computer?
Some users might get offended when I asked them what seemed like stupid questions. Things like, "are you sure you did not turn off the computer accidently?" A good friend of mine likes to leave his computer on the floor. He had a habbit of lightly tapping the computer case with his feet. Once in a while, his knee would tap the reset button. Of course I did not notice his special habbit until I have replaced computer for him twice!.
How do I know it is a hardware related?
Computer programs generally do not damage your equipment. At worst, it will just render your equipment useless. The best indication for a hardware failure, is to replace it with a good one. For example, if your monitor is black, connect with another known good monitor. If you suspect the network card is bad, install another one and see it works. There are numerious indicator lights on the computer, check them first! If the keyboard lights don't light up and you know the keyboard is plugged in, then the keyboard is bad.
Typically, the hardware will fail within a couple of weeks or a couple of years. Very few stops working in 6 months or so. In my experience, the poser supply fails the most, then the keyboard/mouse, then the hard drive.
How do I know it is Software related?
If your computer suddenly became very slow, and you know you have plenty of memory, then you may have a spyware or a virus on your computer. Check out the article "How do I know if my computer has been infected?" for more detailed dianosis.
Besides viruses and spyware, often there are compatiblility problem between the software and hardware companies. This usually occures right after you installed a new application or new peripherial. Update the latest service packs, patches, and new driver usually will fix the compatibility problems
Last Updated: August 16, 2006
When a computer stops working, how do you know where to look? It may seem like a daunting task at first, but with some patience and follow the basic steps below, you can find out exactly what's wrong with your computer.
First thing first, check for something obvious!
So often I get a frantic phone call that seem like a complex technical problem, but it turned out to be something simple. Always check the cables! A loose network cable will make the Internet stop working. A unplugged mouse may make the computer computer freeze. So always check the simple stuff first; make sure the mouse and keyboards are plugged-in, and power cable is tight and secure.
Make sure the symptom can be duplicated several times.
It is very important to reproduce the symtom. If the browser crashes everytime you go to a specific web sit, remember that. You may not be able to fix these types of problems righ away, but a good dianosis is always the key to recovery.
Try to isolate the problem.
Is it a hardware problem or is it in the software? Is it a bad mouse, or is it human error? Did someone else use the computer?
Some users might get offended when I asked them what seemed like stupid questions. Things like, "are you sure you did not turn off the computer accidently?" A good friend of mine likes to leave his computer on the floor. He had a habbit of lightly tapping the computer case with his feet. Once in a while, his knee would tap the reset button. Of course I did not notice his special habbit until I have replaced computer for him twice!.
How do I know it is a hardware related?
Computer programs generally do not damage your equipment. At worst, it will just render your equipment useless. The best indication for a hardware failure, is to replace it with a good one. For example, if your monitor is black, connect with another known good monitor. If you suspect the network card is bad, install another one and see it works. There are numerious indicator lights on the computer, check them first! If the keyboard lights don't light up and you know the keyboard is plugged in, then the keyboard is bad.
Typically, the hardware will fail within a couple of weeks or a couple of years. Very few stops working in 6 months or so. In my experience, the poser supply fails the most, then the keyboard/mouse, then the hard drive.
How do I know it is Software related?
If your computer suddenly became very slow, and you know you have plenty of memory, then you may have a spyware or a virus on your computer. Check out the article "How do I know if my computer has been infected?" for more detailed dianosis.
Besides viruses and spyware, often there are compatiblility problem between the software and hardware companies. This usually occures right after you installed a new application or new peripherial. Update the latest service packs, patches, and new driver usually will fix the compatibility problems