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Solutions To Common Computer Problems: New Orleans Personal Computer Club May 2010

This document provides solutions and preventative maintenance tips for common computer hardware, software, and internet issues. It addresses issues with desktops and laptops like failing fans, power supplies, dust buildup. For Windows OS, it discusses blue screens, viruses, errors, and performance issues related to memory, disk fragmentation. It offers tips on connectivity issues with internet providers and using testing sites to check speeds. It emphasizes the importance of outside help, clear communication, and recognizing your own troubleshooting limits.

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Sanam Rai
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
77 views

Solutions To Common Computer Problems: New Orleans Personal Computer Club May 2010

This document provides solutions and preventative maintenance tips for common computer hardware, software, and internet issues. It addresses issues with desktops and laptops like failing fans, power supplies, dust buildup. For Windows OS, it discusses blue screens, viruses, errors, and performance issues related to memory, disk fragmentation. It offers tips on connectivity issues with internet providers and using testing sites to check speeds. It emphasizes the importance of outside help, clear communication, and recognizing your own troubleshooting limits.

Uploaded by

Sanam Rai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solutions to

Common Computer
Problems

New Orleans Personal Computer Club


May 2010
Hardware Issues - Desktops
• Unusual noises
– Failing fans
– Hard drive dying
• Power supply dying or underpowered
– Consumer-level machines usually have small
supplies
• Bad capacitors
• Electrical issues
Hardware Issues – Desktops
• Environmental issues
– Dust
– Pets
– Food particles
– Vermin
• Usually through missing slot covers
– Tobacco stains mixed with any of the above
Hardware Issues – Desktops
• Preventative Maintenance
– Use canned air periodically to dust out insides
• Depending on environment, you might take want to
take PC outside for its dusting
– Use a good surge suppressor or better, an
Uninterruptable Power Supply
– Use power saving functions responsibly and
turn off (or Standby) computers when not in
use for more than a few hours
Hardware Issues – Laptops
• Loose screen hinges
• Power jack coming loose
• Battery unable to hold a charge
– Average lifespan of laptop batteries is about
3-4 years
– Time span of charge usually will depreciate
towards end of life
– Third-party replacements are widely available
for most models
Hardware Issues – Laptops
• Environmental issues
– Dust
– Pets
– Food particles
– Accidental abuse
• Cracked display most common
Hardware Issues – Laptops
• Preventative Maintenance
– Get a good carrying case or knapsack with
adequate padding
– Keep it away from environmental hazards
• Pets
• Short-tempered people
Windows OS issues
• Blue Screens Of Death (BSOD)
• Viruses, Spyware, Ad-ware (Malware)
– Make sure security program’s definition/ pattern files are up-to-
date
– Beware of drive-by downloads!
– Recommend ad-blocking extensions
• Cryptic Error Messages
– Plug error message into search engine; somebody else is likely
to have experienced it and inquired about it
• Application errors
• Driver errors
– Check manufacturer site for any possible updates
Windows OS issues
• Performance (overall speed) issues
– Many items/folders on Desktop, items in System Tray
• Do NOT store any data files on the desktop!
• MSCONFIG is diagnostic utility; do not check Selective
Startup, disable individual items and leave it
– RAM amount
• Many hardware vendors will cheap out on this since RAM is
expensive when new
– When adding RAM, use fastest speed supported by PC’s
motherboard; usually no or little price difference
– Stick with name brands; don’t use generic/OEM compatible
modules
• XP needs 512mb, recommend about 1gig
• Vista/7 needs 1gig, recommend about 2gigs or more
Windows OS issues
• Performance issues
– Clutter
• Most new consumer machines are bundled with
what can be termed as shovelware – can be
uninstalled with enough effort
• On Vista/7, turn Sidebar off
• Windows accumulates a lot of files that are
supposed to get automatically deleted but don’t
– Fragmentation
Windows OS issues
• Preventative Maintenance
– Periodically run a cleaner utility such as CCleaner
– Periodically defrag the hard drive(s)
– Run virus scanner on some type of schedule
• Install ONE antivirus program
– Store data files somewhere under Documents or My
Documents folder
– Delete obsolete data
– Uninstall trialware from system
– Develop backup regimen
Windows OS issues
• Preventative Maintenance
– Resist the urge to install any new program or
add-on that claims to make life easier
– Limit programs running in the System Tray
– Limit access to physical computer
• If not possible, set up strong password on user
account(s), and also on the Administrator account
Windows OS issues
• Reinstallation, rebuild, Nuke & Pave
– Do it only as a last resort
– When properly maintained, Windows installations can
run properly for many years
– If your PC uses a recovery partition with the option for
user-generated recovery media, DO IT!
– If rebuild is needed, schedule a large amount of time
for this task
• Backup all data first
• Have all install media at hand
• A good Windows install can take at least 3 hours
Internet Service Provider Issues
• Connectivity
– Verify PC is getting IP address
– If using wireless, try wired connection
• Dell laptops automatically disable wired network
port when on battery power!
– If using a wireless or wired router, sometimes
it is necessary to bypass it for effective
troubleshooting
Internet Service Provider Issues
• Connectivity – cable modem setups
– If switching around equipment on cable
modem, power cycle modem for at least
*three minutes*
– Cable modems require RG6 coaxial cable in
order to maintain a steady connection (many
older installations have RG-59, which is much
thinner)
– Many Motorola SURFBoard modems have a
Standby button on top- never touch it!
Internet Service Provider Issues
• Connectivity – DSL modem setups
– Make absolutely sure filters are in place
• Make sure DSL modem is NOT filtered!
– Fax machines, answering devices all need to
be filtered
– Alarm systems with auto-dialers will likely
need outside filter
– When using routers with DSL modems, set
modem to Bridged Ethernet, set router to
PPPoE with UserID + Password
Internet Service Provider Issues
• Slow speeds
– When in doubt, check using a good testing
site like www.speedtest.net
– Check only on wired network connection;
wireless and USB connections do not count!
• Many cordless phones use 2.4ghz band
– Check multiple times, and turn off
unnecessary internet-using apps
– Upgrade router firmware, if available
Internet Issues
• Preventative maintenance
– Do NOT click on any type of link on a web page that
is an obvious advertisement
– Resist signing up for “special offers” and other ploys
to get your marketing information
– Use strong passwords on sites that require a login ID
• Use special characters when allowed
– Use a browser other than Internet Explorer
– Make sure wireless connection is locked down using
encryption, at least WPA-level
Getting Outside Help
• Sometimes it’s necessary; recognize your
limits
• Minimize outside distractions
• Communicate clearly
• Follow troubleshooting instructions, be
able to read error messages that are
showing
• Treat the tech professionally
• Answer all questions as best as possible
Getting Outside Help - ISPs
• Problems such as passwords, mail client
configurations, and power cycling do not require
on-site trouble call visits
• If the ISP has to send a tech for a trouble call
and the problem is found to be anywhere in
Customer Premise Equipment, the service call is
billable to the customer
– Exception: the customer is paying extra for insurance
on services

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