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Suggestions and Requests
I love to learn new things! Perhaps a question that you have regarding Techie Topics is one I'd like to know too, or maybe have already researched.
Add your request on topics to a comment below, and we'll see what comes of it.
Hi Len! Yay, a request area! Let's see if I can explain this. Many times friends and family will say that their computer isnt working right, or that its doing _____ and shouldnt be. Is there a good "process of elimination", or template of trouble shooting questions thats general enough to help the average user determine what area the problem is coming from? For example, is the problem browser related, or an installed program? Possible virus, or obtrusive toolbar? I tend to just get lucky by clicking on stuff, looking for unusual behavior (programs failing to launch, etc.), but I'm sure there's a better way to diagnose. Also, what do you personally always check for ? Hope that made sense! Thanks!
Wow...tough question! Hard to quantify many years of experience, but let me give a try.
I try to focus in on what isn't working right. Is it only in one program, or all programs? Is the computer running slow? Does it seem to be network related?
For network problems, first thing to check is whether there is a connection. Simplest way I check is to 'ping' a known web address. Open the Cmd prompt and type 'ping lsnent.com' ... That's my site, and I know it's up. If I don't get a response, ping the router itself. Look at the Network Adapter under Network Connections and this will be the Gateway address. If the ping works to that, but not out to the internet, often restarting the modem and router fixes. If that doesn't, may be your ISP.
If computer is running slow, I first look to see if Norton is installed. I will always recommend uninstalling Norton... can slow a computer drastically. Also, look at Task Manager and see what's using up CPU... you can sort by CPU and that will tell a lot. If a program is consuming a lot, identify what it is and if it's valid, kill the process. If it's not a valid program, uninstall it.
I always check the Startup programs. Make sure everything that is starting is valid. Programs with strange names are often viruses. Check every startup and disable any that are not valid. If they look like a virus, do a restart, then delete them. They often don't have an uninstall routine, so you have to track down the files and delete them.
If the pc operation is really squirrely, do a System Restore (you do have Restore points automatically created, don't you?????). Find out when the computer started acting up, and roll it back to sometime before that. That often fixes 'hosed' computers.
That should get you started. If you have specific questions, get back to me.
HI Len, Good stuff. I want to add a 2nd screen to my computer ie: a TV screen. I know it can be done but don't seem to be able to transfer the current screen from my pc to the tv. I have the proper cable installed and it seems that I need to click somewhere on the screen to be moved but nothing happens. Thanks, The wanderer
Hello Wanderer: Try pressing Windows-P (for Project). Here you should have the opportunity to select either screen or both as duplicates. Hope that helps.
Hi Len! Yay, a request area! Let's see if I can explain this. Many times friends and family will say that their computer isnt working right, or that its doing _____ and shouldnt be. Is there a good "process of elimination", or template of trouble shooting questions thats general enough to help the average user determine what area the problem is coming from? For example, is the problem browser related, or an installed program? Possible virus, or obtrusive toolbar? I tend to just get lucky by clicking on stuff, looking for unusual behavior (programs failing to launch, etc.), but I'm sure there's a better way to diagnose. Also, what do you personally always check for ?
ReplyDeleteHope that made sense! Thanks!
Wow...tough question! Hard to quantify many years of experience, but let me give a try.
DeleteI try to focus in on what isn't working right. Is it only in one program, or all programs? Is the computer running slow? Does it seem to be network related?
For network problems, first thing to check is whether there is a connection. Simplest way I check is to 'ping' a known web address. Open the Cmd prompt and type 'ping lsnent.com' ... That's my site, and I know it's up. If I don't get a response, ping the router itself. Look at the Network Adapter under Network Connections and this will be the Gateway address. If the ping works to that, but not out to the internet, often restarting the modem and router fixes. If that doesn't, may be your ISP.
If computer is running slow, I first look to see if Norton is installed. I will always recommend uninstalling Norton... can slow a computer drastically. Also, look at Task Manager and see what's using up CPU... you can sort by CPU and that will tell a lot. If a program is consuming a lot, identify what it is and if it's valid, kill the process. If it's not a valid program, uninstall it.
I always check the Startup programs. Make sure everything that is starting is valid. Programs with strange names are often viruses. Check every startup and disable any that are not valid. If they look like a virus, do a restart, then delete them. They often don't have an uninstall routine, so you have to track down the files and delete them.
If the pc operation is really squirrely, do a System Restore (you do have Restore points automatically created, don't you?????). Find out when the computer started acting up, and roll it back to sometime before that. That often fixes 'hosed' computers.
That should get you started. If you have specific questions, get back to me.
Len
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHI Len,
ReplyDeleteGood stuff. I want to add a 2nd screen to my computer ie: a TV screen. I know it can be done but don't seem to be able to transfer the current screen from my pc to the tv. I have the proper cable installed and it seems that I need to click somewhere on the screen to be moved but nothing happens. Thanks, The wanderer
Hello Wanderer: Try pressing Windows-P (for Project). Here you should have the opportunity to select either screen or both as duplicates. Hope that helps.
Delete