Computer Troubleshooting

 
Computer Maintenance Common Technical Problems Windows Questions Working with Folders Working with Shortcuts

Computer Maintenance

Dust

  • Canned air is best for dust.  Be sure to keep it locked up.  It can freeze the skin.
  • Dry, soft cloth will also work for dusting.

Keyboards

  • Clean keyboard keys with small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth.

Monitor

  • Clean monitor by spraying glass cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe.  Do not spray monitor directly.

Deleting Temporary Files

  • This will free up space on your computer
  • Click on Start Button and pull over to:  Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean-up
  • Select Drive C:
  • Click OK

Scan Disk

  • This may fix some errors on your hard drive.
  • Click on Start Button and pull over to:  Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Scan Disk
  • Click on Drive C:  to highlight it.
  • Click on Thorough or Standard, Standard will be quick and allow an hour for thorough.
  • Make sure that Automatically Fix Errors is checked by clicking on it.
  • Click Start

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Common Technical Problems

Problem:  Computer does not start up

  • Is the power switch On?
  • Is the power cable plugged in to a live wall outlet or power strip and into the computer?

Problem:  No image on the monitor

  • Is the monitor's power switch on?
  • Is the monitor's power cable plugged into a live wall outlet or a live power strip and plugged into the back of the monitor?
  • Are the contrast and the brightness controls adjusted properly?  (most of these are located on the front of the monitor)  

Problem:     No sound from the speakers

  • Check the cords from the computer to the speakers
  • Make sure the sound cord is plugged into the right spot on the computer (usually the light green port)
  • Make sure the volume is turned up in windows.  You can do this by double clicking the speaker on the bottom right task bar to open the volume controls and check to make sure mute is not checked.
  • Make sure the sound is turned up on the speakers and the power button on the speakers is turned on.

Problem:     Non-system disk error

  • Remove the floppy disk from your 'A:' drive and press any key to continue

Problem:     Mouse or keyboard does not work properly

  • Is the keyboard / mouse attached to the computer?  If not shut down the power of the computer before plugging them in.  You may have to restart the computer if it does not immediately detect the mouse or keyboard.  

Problem:     Monitor appearance has changed

  • Right click on an empty space on the Desktop > Properties > Settings.  This will allow  you to adjust the screen resolution, screensaver, and appearance.

Problem:     CD ROM not working

  • Check to see if the light comes on when you to my computer and double click on the D:
  • Check to make sure the CD is put in with the writing side up.
  • Clean the bottom side of the CD (no writing) with a soft cloth (no paper) Wipe from the inside edge to the outside edge.
  • Try another CD to see if it is the drive and not the CD
  • If you set the CD down somewhere, set the writing side up.  
  • Always try to use a case

Problem:  Printer does not print

  • Does the printer have paper?
  • Is the power switch on?
  • Is the power supply plugged into a live outlet or surge protector and to the printer?
  • Is the printer cable connected to the computer?
  • Have you tried restarting your computer?
  • Is the correct printer chosen in the printer settings?
  • Are your printer cartridges properly installed?
  • Did you remove the transparent tape from the cartridge?
  • Is the printer out of ink?

Problem:   Computer is locked up and will not respond

  • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time.  Highlight the program that is not responding, then click the End Task button
  • If that does not fix the problem press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys together twice to restart the computer. 
  • If the machine will not shut down you will have to do a "hard shut down" by either turning off your machines power or by pressing the restart key. 
  • If none of the options above work you will need to unplug the power cord, then plug the cord back in after :30 seconds.

How much available space does my hard drive have?

  • Double click on my computer.
  • Right click on the C: drive and choose Properties
  • This will show you how much free space and used space in on your the C: drive

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Windows Questions

What is an icon?

  • An icon is a picture representing a program, folder, or file

How can I arrange my icons?

  • Right click on the desktop and select Arrange Icons

Why can't I rearrange my icons?

  • Right click on the Desktop > Arrange Icons > deselect Auto Arrange by clicking on it

How do I empty the Recycle Bin?

  • Right click Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop > Empty Recycle Bin.

How do I recover files from the Recycle Bin?

  • Double click on the Recycle Bin to open it.
  • Right click on the file or  folder > Restore.  Note:  only files / folders from your local machine can be restored, not files from the server.

My task bar is too big.  How do I make it smaller?

  • Hold your cursor near the top of the line until it changes to a two-sided arrow > click and drag down to adjust size

How can I move the task bar?

  • Click on the task bar and hold down the mouse key > drag to desired position

How do I know when to right or left click?

  • Left click for selecting (choosing) 
  • Right click for menus (choices)

How do I know whether to single or double click?

  • Single click on buttons to select 
  • Double click on icons and shortcuts to open

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Working with Folders

How do I make a folder?

  • Right Click in a blank area > New Folder

How do I rename a file or folder?

  • Right click > Rename > type a new name > press Enter key

How can I find a file or  folder?

  • Start button > Search > Files and or Folders

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Working with Shortcuts

What is a shortcut?

  • A shortcut is a quick way to launch a program.  

How do I make a shortcut?

  • Right click on the folder or program and select Create a Shortcut by left clicking on it.

How do I make a shortcut to a Web page on my desktop?

  • Right click on the page (not a picture or words) > Create a Shortcut >  OK when it says, "A shortcut to the current page will be sent to your desktop"

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