Top 12 Common Computer Problems
So reliant have we become on technology, that it's very important that things work correctly. The honored reboot is still often the solution for many issues and applies to modems, routers and printers as well. A small amount of precaution (running security software such as antivirus and anti-malware programs), regular backups and occasional maintenance will significantly reduce the number of problems you experience.
Other People Are Reading
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Computer is Running Too Slow
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This is the number one issue for many people. There is usually a single cause for this, (too many programs competing for memory), but not necessarily a single solution. The problem can be caused by viruses, spyware, adware or malware that have infected your system or just too many programs running simultaneously, many of which run in the background.
Reduce programs that run at start-up. Clean out your Startup folder. Find it in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, where username is your Windows logon name. Next, clean out your Scheduled Tasks folder. Go to C:\Windows\Tasks and delete any shortcuts for programs you don't need to run any tasks you are not currently doing.
Upgrade your memory. This is not difficult and will result in an immediate boost in your system's responsiveness.
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Can't Get on the Internet
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Check all your connections (if wired), or if wireless, check all the status lights on the router and modem.
Browser's Home Page has Changed Itself
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The browser's home page has actually been hijacked. This is usually spyware or a Trojan. Check out Spybot, Search and Destroy, Lavasoft Ad-Aware and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.
Computer Freezes
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Computer freezes could be a RAM (memory) issue or a program conflict. Reboot the machine.
Computer Turns Itself On
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Check out the computer's setting for sleep mode.
More Problems
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Computer Won't Turn Off--Sometimes the operating system gets into a resource conflict. You may need to pull the plug, literally. It should restart without a problem.
Can't Find My Program--It's likely that your shortcut, an icon, was deleted. Check system help for creating a new shortcut.
Clock Loses Time--The CMOS battery needs to be replaced--an easy repair.
System Displays "non-system disk error."--Remove a diskette or CD-ROM and reboot.
Printer Doesn't Print--Check all cabling. Delete any jobs on the print queue. Restart printer.
Still More Problems
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Computer is Making Noise--The hard drive may be about to fail. Backup critical data and call for help.
Lost My File--If you accidentally deleted it, it will still be in the Recycle Bin, (unless you've emptied it).
Bonus Problem:
Really Did Delete File (emptied Recycle Bin)--There are utilities to recover deleted files from the Recycle Bin. Check out Restoration and DiskDoctors.
References
- Troubleshooting Your PC;David Stone;2001
- Photo Credit "computer" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Tim Morgan (Tim Morgan) under the Creative Commons Attribution license. "Cinderella's Using WiFi" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: CarbonNYC (David Goehring) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
