So your computer is having problems, right? You probably want someone to “fix my computer now“.
Computers are finicky beasts. They’re complicated, with a lot of hardware and software. Computer support is not easy, and computer technicians are well-paid precisely because it’s a tough job.
In this article, I’ll explain how to troubleshoot basic computer problems. Troubleshooting is a science - once you learn how to troubleshoot computer problems, you’ll have the tools necessary to fix 80% of problems that occur whether you’re a Mac or PC user, a desktop or laptop fan.
I’ll cover computer troubleshooting basics, how to diagnose hardware problems, how to diagnose software problems, how to find computer support techicians and repair shops, and finally, the nuclear option. Let’s go!
Computer troubleshooting basics
I’m guessing your computer has a problem - it crashes, it won’t turn on, the monitor flickers, the keyboard doesn’t respond, your computer is slow, it freezes, and so forth.
First, know that it can only be 1 of 2 problems - either hardware isn’t working, or software is messed up.
If it’s software, it can be the operating system (Windows) or an application (Microsoft Word) or drivers (Adobe, Apache, etc).
You can quickly tell if it’s a hardware problem by touching your computer. Is it extremely hot in certain places? This may mean that components are overheating like your hard drive. Troubleshoot number one.
You can quickly tell if it’s a software problem if there are fatal errors or pop-up screens on your laptop that say stuff like failed execution, failed to load, and so forth. This means that an application isn’t working properly. Troubleshoot number two.
The key things you must do to fix your computer now
Computer troubleshooting always starts with the same repair steps.
-Run a hard drive defragmentation application to clean up your computer
-Empty the recycle bin
-Install programs such as CC Cleaner to repair computer registry problems
-Uninstall any unneeded applications
In addition, you should start backing up important data to prevent hard drive data loss from your laptop or desktop.
If it’s a computer hardware problem - troubleshooting further won’t do you much good unless you’re a computer repair technician or support guy.
At this point, I’d recommend taking it to the shop.
What is computer troubleshooting and how to handle software problems
If it’s a problem with software, try to detect the application that doesn’t load properly. Reinstall computer applications one at a time and see if the problems go away from your computer. Troubleshooting at this point relies on your patience and methodical behavior.
After taking care of the 4 steps listed above, if you still have the problem, you can’t fix your computer. It’s time to find a computer repair guy or computer support team to take a look at your Mac or PC.
Why computer repair and computer support are so important
These guys are experts. They’re trained to figure out computer problems, whether its a hardware problem or bad software, a virus or malware, a bad hard drive or pixelated monitor. Once they figure out the problem, its usually a quick fix.
Just like a doctor - you have to diagnose and isolate the disease first. Then a cure is only a matter of time, in most cases.
Computer troubleshooting is expensive for that reason - it takes a lot of expertise and time to diagnose the problem. Usually it can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars to fix problems with your operating system, hardware components, BIOS, or motherboard.
“Fix my computer” - you say? Well, good luck on your own! If you read this article, you’ll have some basic computer troubleshooting skills that you can use to to become your own computer expert. However, you’re still far away from being a technician. That requires years of training and lots of experience helping people fix laptops, desktops, netbooks, and any old PC that comes their way.
Good luck with troubleshooting and fixing your computer problems, and read my other articles to learn more about computers! They’re amazing pieces of technology.
For more information on computer training, computer support, and computers running slow.
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