Basic Troubleshooting

Uh-oh … Something’s wrong with my computer.

What should I do??

CHECK THE CORDS Is your computer on?  Power Cord?  Power button?  Monitor  System Unit  Power Switch  Non-responsive screen?  Keyboard/mouse plugged in  USB vs PS/2

What do all those other cords do? PORTPURPOSEPICTURE Ethernet PortInternet Audio PortsSpeakers & Headphones HDMI (“High Definition Multimedia Interface”) Projector

NOTHING IS MOVING …….

THE LIFE SAVER: Task Manager CTRL + DELETE + ALT  Brings up Task Manager window  Click on program which is taking too long to respond or whose CPU usage is colored red.  “End Task”

RANDOMLY CRASHING ?  Overheating  Remove any items covering the vents  Updated Anti-Virus?  Anti-virus updates contain important “fixes” – always install updates to ensure broadest protection.

ISP BASICS ISP – Internet Service Provider Dial-UpCable and DSLWireless Connection to an Internet Service Provider via telephone lines Broadband Internet access that uses cable television and telephone lines, respectively Computer network that isn’t connected by a cable (wire)

WHAT DO ALL THESE NUMBERS MEAN?  56kbps  & light browsing  1Mbps  Lots of browsing, downloading music, streaming videos OR multiple people in your household  3Mbps  Serious gamers OR consistently send/receive LARGE files

INTERNET CONNECTION LOST?  Check cables  Click on internet connection icon.  Network & Sharing Center  Disconnect/connect  Restart your computer

Used to make your web-browsing experience more convenient by remembering: Addresses Account numbers Usernames & Encrypted passwords Last place on webpage COOKIE S

 BUT – they can also be used to track specific web sites or a user’s navigation through a particular website.  You CAN turn off cookies in your browser … but some websites may not load properly

DISABLE/ENABLE POP-UPS  Internet Explorer  Go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Privacy -> select your level on the scroll  Chrome  Settings -> Privacy/Content Settings  Pop-ups “pop-up” in different areas on different browsers  Chrome – address bar; IE – near Taskbar

DON’T CLICK ON LINKS DON’T DOWNLOAD ATTACHMENTS!

AUDIO  Multiple audio ports and areas for volume control.  Mute on?  Stereos plugged into headphone port?  No luck? Try “Hardware and Sound” in the Control Panel.

STILL HAVING TROUBLE …  Google is your friend  Write down error message and call IT

INTERNET CRIME

MALWARE HOW IT INFECTS:  Tricks you into installing, or installs without your knowledge, along with desired programs that seem beneficial (Music, Videos, Games, Screensavers, Pictures).  Distribution channels include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, etc. WHAT IT DOES:  Steals personal information and usage habits.  Can change computer settings, home pages, and break other programs.  Embeds deeply into OS, very difficult to remove, can damage files/equipment.

DON’T CLICK ON POP-UPS!