Basic Troubleshooting

Step 1
Rule out any Common Causes:
All plugs are connected double check Determine if it is a desktop problem or a network problem what were you doing when it happened?

Turning it on? Using a program? Is it a piece of hardware that is not working?

Hardware Problems
Computer wont turn on
Check all plugs especially power plug Check any fuses or breakers Listen to see if you can hear the fan If no sound is heard and all cords are plugged in, you will need to take to computer technician

Hardware Problems
Monitor
If monitor does not come on, check all cords especially power cord and connection to CPU See if any indicator lights come on Turn power button on and off Take to technician

Hardware Problems
Mouse and/or Keyboard
Check all connections!! Clean mouse if not working properly

Use rubbing alcohol and Q-tip

Clean keyboard if keys are sticking

Can use a spray cleaner or rubbing alcohol Make sure it is given time to dry

Software Problems
Computer starts up (you can hear it running), but nothing happens or your receive an error message on the screen. You are using a program, such as Word or Netscape, and it stops working (you cant move the mouse or click on

Step 2
Try to reboot the system to see if that fixes the problem:
PC users hold down the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys and select Shutdown, or close the program that is having the error. Mac users hold down the Control, Apple, and start keys to reboot.

Other solutions
Sometimes a software program freezes up or has an error and you need to close that program. Sometimes files need to be removed or extensions and/or start up files need to be removed in order for the computer to work.

Windows Platform
In the Windows operating system, to force quit a program, hold down the Ctrl, Atl, and Delete keys. A menu will appear that lets you quit the application you are in and/or restart your computer.

Macintosh Platform
To close or shut down a program in the Macintosh operating system, hold down the Apple, Ctrl, Alt, and Esc keys. This will force quite the program that was running.

Windows Platform
When Windows has problems starting up, sometimes it will give you the option of starting in a Safe Mode so that you can fix a problem without it ruining your system or losing files.

Windows Platform
When windows is in Safe Mode, you can get assistance with problems in Window 98, use the Trouble Shooting Wizard under the Help menu in the Start Menu. This will allow you to answer some questions that will evaluate what the problem could be.

Windows Platform
In Safe Mode, you can also remove programs from the start-up that may be causing problems. To remove programs from Start up folder by going to the Start Menu, Settings, Taskbar & Start Menu. You can click on remove and then remove a program that appears to be freezing your computer, then restart to see if this fixes the problem.

Macintosh Platform
In the Macintosh operating system, you may receive error warnings when the computer is starting up or your computer may freeze on the start up process. You can restart the computer with the extensions turned off to bypass some of the start up files to see if this fixes the problem.

Macintosh Platform
To turn off extensions hold down the shift key while restarting the computer. When extensions are turned off, you can go to the system folder and then to the extensions folder and remove any extension you think might be the problem.

Network Troubleshooting
Errors on a network consist of:
Printing errors Access to Internet Computer Freezing up

Network Errors
First, make sure that the connection to the network is tight Check to make sure light next to network card is blinking Reboot your computer Contact your network administrator

Reminder
Computers are not perfect! They are created by humans you will have errors and problems In order to work, the computer must read millions of code it can happen that the code is misread and therefore results in errors.