Troubleshooting tips

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Problems and solutions

Obvious Dumb Things

·         No matter what weird behavior your computer displays, do the obvious first:

1.     Rebooting (restarting the computer) cures most Windows ailments.
2.  Check all cables and power cords.
3. Pay attention to error messages and write them down word-for-word. If you call tech support, this is essential information.

Problem - My computer is locking up

Solution -

Problem - My computer will not turn on

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Problem - I lost my file

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Select Files and Folders

NOTE: To set your default in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel to save files in My Documents, go to "Options" under "Tools" on the Menu Bar.

Problem - A blue screen appears saying there has been a fatal error

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Problem - I have lost my work because of a computer lock-up or shut down

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Problem - My printer won't print

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Problem - How do I stop a print job

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Problem - Laser printer prints light or dark streaks

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Problem - My inkjet printer leaves voids in the print

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Problem - Printer (inkjet/laser) will not feed paper

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Problem - Sent print job to printer but nothing happens

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Problem - I can't open some of my email attachments

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Problem - My Email won't work

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Problem - Program won't open a document

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Problem - My icons have disappeared

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Problem - I have lost my Windows task bar (The one with "Start" on it)

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Problem - Machine comes up in "Safe Mode"

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Problem - Letters keep getting replaced in front of my typing

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Problem - Taskbar is too big

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Problem - I cannot read my school email on my home computer

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Problem - Why can't I hear my audio?

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Problem - I placed a new program CD in my drive, but it did not automatically come up, or drive was not recognized

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Problem - Computer says I have a virus

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Problem - My computer won't recognize drives

A server may have been mapped to the USB or other drive you are trying to use. Open My Computer and right click on the drive and unmap it.

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Problem - Someone has found a virus on email or on a floppy disk that I gave him/her

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Kids Domain Computer Connections
Computers: Inside & Out

Lesson 10: Computer Care & Safety

Computers, like any other piece of electronic equipment, need special care and attention in order to perform properly and safely. There are several specialized tasks such as defragmenting, scanning and reformatting that computer experts can do to keep the internal system of a computer working well. However, we'll leave these tasks to the experts for now and concentrate on some daily do's and don'ts that any computer user should know.

A Clean Machine

This may seem like a simple topic, but computers require special cleaning even on the outside. Keeping your system free of dust, dirt and liquids is the first step to computer care. Your system's user guide is the best place to find information on how to clean your outer components; but here are some general tips that you should always remember:

 

 

Computer Maintenance Tutorial

http://www.uwrf.edu/ccs/training/maintain.htm

To be done every 1-3 months for optimal computer performance.

 

Web Maintenance:

Clear Disk Cache: (should do once every month, or if you notice slowdown while online)

Netscape:

If you use Netscape: Open your Netscape browser (either online or offline), then go to Edit + Preferences. Click on the "+" bedside "Advanced," then click on "Cache"

  • Press button labeled "Clear Disk Cache."

Internet Explorer:

If you use Internet Explorer: Open your IE browser. Go to Tools + Internet Options.

  • Under the "Temporary Internet Files" section, click on the "Delete Files" button. Do not check the box to "Delete all offline content." Click the "ok" button.
  • Under the "History" section, click on the "Clear History" button.

Clearing Temp Folders: (*make sure that all applications are closed before starting this section)

Any files that exist within your computer's "Temp" or "Cookies" folder are files that may slow down your computer (because these are files that are potentially running on your computer at all times).

Temp Folders:

  1. Find all temp FOLDERS on your computer by opening the Find feature: Start button + Find + Files and Folders.
  2. Type the word "temp" in the "Named:" box. Select "C:" from the "Look in:" box. Click the "Find Now" button.
  3. A list of folders and files with similar names will appear in the window. 

    Double click     ONLY on each FOLDER named specifically "Temp" and do the following to the contents within each of these such named folders:
  4. Highlight all files (not folders) that exist and hit your delete key. If a file won't delete, then skip that file.
  • Empty your recycle bin (see below)

Cookies Folder:

  1. Find the "Cookies" FOLDER on your computer by opening the Find feature: Start button + Find + Files and Folders.
  2. Type the word "Cookies" in the "Named:" box. Select "C:" from the "Look in:" box. Click the "Find Now" button.
  3. A list of folders and files with similar names will appear in the window. 

    Double click     ONLY on the FOLDER named specifically "Cookies" and do the following to the contents within the Cookies folder:
  4. Go to the Edit pulldown and select "Select All". Now hit your delete key. All contents should delete. If a file won't delete, then skip that file.
  • Empty your recycle bin (see below)

Empty Recycle Bin:

On your computer's desktop, double-click on your "Recycle Bin" icon. Select File + Empty Recycle Bin

Hard Drive Maintenance:

(Approximate run time is 1-10 minutes)
Run ScanDisk on your hard drive:

  1. Start button + Programs + Accessories + System Tools + ScanDisk
  2. Select your C: drive from the list of available drives.
  3. Select a "Thorough" check (notice the description difference between the two checks).
  4. Check the "Automatically fix errors" box.

(Approximate run time is 20 minutes to 1 hour)
Run Disk Defragmentor: (this is intended to be run after a successful ScanDisk has been run).

  1. Start button + Programs + Accessories + System Tools + Disk Defragmentor
  2. Select your C: drive from the list of available drives.
  3. A message may pop up that your hard drive does not need to be defragmented. Ignore this message and continue the process.
  4. Find a nice place to relax for 15-45 minutes. If ScanDisk does not finish, but starts over and over again, then contact IT Services.

 

 

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