How do I Find & Fix Computer Problems?

Fixing your own computer will save you money.

Keeping your computer running smoothly can save you a lot of money. The longer you can keep your current computer running well, the less often you will need to upgrade your equipment, and that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the years. Taking the time to maintain your computer and proactively look for problems is the best way to keep your computer running smoothly.

Instructions

1. Start your computer and watch the screen carefully. Watch for a message saying "Press X to enter setup." Different manufacturers use different function keys to enter setup, so be sure to check the screen carefully. HP uses the F10 or F1 key, while Dell generally uses the F2 or F12 key.

2. Arrow over to the hardware section of the set-up menu and go down to the diagnostics section. Run diagnostics on the hard drive, memory and other components.

3. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon. and choose "Properties" from the menu. Click the "Hardware" tab and then the "Device Manager" button.

4. Expand the plus sign next to each of the components in the computer. Look for any yellow question marks or red exclamation points. These are indications that a particular component is not functioning properly.

5. Right-click each of those problem components and choose the "Update driver" option. This will force the operating system to download and install the most recent driver for each of those hardware devices.

References

• Microsoft Support: Device Manager