Five Fundamental Rules for Troubleshooting a PC

by Kristie Sweet, studioD

According to the 2010 Census, half of the American households reported owning at least one computer, and one in every seven had multiple computers. When a computer used for business fails to work properly, the affects are both financial and inconvenient. Follow some general troubleshooting rules to resolve the problem in many cases and resume work with little interruption.

Check the Power

If the computer or peripheral does not turn on, check the basics first. See if power cords have come unplugged. If the equipment turns on but does not print, examine the cords between the computer and printer. Check the power in an outlet by plugging a different device into the outlet to see if it works. Press the power buttons on the monitor or power strip to double-check that the devices powered.

Reboot the Computer

If you have power but programs do not work properly, restart the computer. Shut down the computer, wait a few seconds and then restart it. Many issues resolve themselves with such a restart, even blue screens. If your computer freezes, preventing you from shutting down from the menu, press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" simultaneously twice in a row. If that does not work, hold down the power key until the machine shuts off. After a few seconds, turn the computer on again.

Record Messages

Write down any error messages that appear. Copy the message word-for-word including any numbers or codes. Then search the Internet or your computer manual for guidance regarding how to fix the problem. If you end up needing to contact tech support, having the specific error message written down helps the technician diagnose and fix the issue.

Update Software

Keep software and hardware current by downloading and installing patches and updates. Companies release updates to prevent or fix conflicts or vulnerabilities. Check your computer manufacturer's site to find out about the latest drivers and visit software sites for downloads. Set your computer to automatically search for updates when they become available to avoid potential issues. If you updated or added software just before the problem occurred, that may be the cause of the issue. Remove the new software to see if the problem resolves. You may be able to reinstall the software and have it work properly.

Check for Malware

Viruses, Trojans and other malware can affect a computer's performance. Run a virus check program to determine if the computer is infected, particularly if someone recently downloaded products or information from the Internet. If the problem persists or you encounter malware you cannot remove, consider using a system restore to reset the computer to an earlier date when everything was working properly. Run a virus protection program regularly to prevent malware issues on your system.

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