How To Keep Your PC Computer Running By William Straub January 2009 LITA at SLIS An Introduction to Basic Computer Troubleshooting

Disclaimer ➲ The following are troubleshooting hints, use them at your own risk. ➲ The information in this presentation is not necessarily endorsed by SLIS/LITA. ➲ When in doubt, call a professional computer repair technician.

Computers and Cars Both computers and cars need regular maintenance. Would you run an automobile without changing the oil every miles?

How to Solve Approximately 80% of Computer Problems ➲ Try to save your work if possible. ➲ Close all programs. ➲ You may have to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. ➲ Shut down the computer (don't just restart). ➲ Wait 10 seconds. ➲ Turn the computer back on.

How to Solve Approximately 90% of Computer Problems ➲ Save and shut down. Cold boot (don't just restart). ➲ Do not install software unless absolutely necessary. The more software you have installed, the greater chance for conflicts and software problems. ➲ Patch/update software ➲ Keep VirusScan up-to-date

Keep a Log Book ➲ Write down the date and version of every software program you install. ➲ Write down any changes you make to your hardware or system settings.

Protect Your Computer on the Network  Virus Scan  Firewall  Updates for your operating system (Windows update or Microsoft update)  Update/patch essential software

Protect Your Computer on the Network Update/patch essential software:  Microsoft Office(Microsoft update)  Adobe Reader(adobe.com)  Adobe Flash plugin  Adobe Shockwave  Mozilla Firefox  QuickTime / iTunes (apple.com/quicktime)  Other browser software

System Updates Essential to protect from malware/hackers In Windows XP: Start > Programs > Accessories > System, then Automatic Updates tab

System Updates I choose “Notify me but don't automatically download or install them.” The system notifies me when updates are available. Then I wait a few days and check Web sites before installing updates.

Basic Troubleshooting Hints ➲ Stay calm. ➲ Turn off the machine (don't just restart). ➲ Check and re ‑ check all plugs. ➲ Think: What was the last thing changed on this computer? ➲ Write down the problem. ➲ Use logic to isolate the problem.

If You Cannot Solve the Problem ➲ Know your limitations. ➲ Write down the symptoms and anything you tried to do to fix the problem. ➲ Contact DoITDoIT ➲ Contact the company who sold you the computer. ➲ Go to your local library-- use public computer or local Yellow Pages

Basic Computer Maintenance ➲ Backup your data Backup your data ➲ Maintain antivirus software Maintain antivirus software ➲ Maintain firewall Maintain firewall ➲ System updates System updates ➲ Other software updates Other software updates ➲ Maintain your hard drive Maintain your hard drive ➲ Backup system files Backup system files ➲ Clean your computer Clean your computer ➲ Dust Dust ➲ Deal with system lockups and freezes Deal with system lockups and freezes

What to Do When Your Computer Freezes Sometimes if you computer is having problems the best solution is just to save all of your work and then shut down the computer normally. Leave the computer off for approximately 10 seconds for the memory ( RAM ) to clear, and then turn the computer back on.

If Computer Is Frozen (continued) ➲ If Ctrl + Alt + Delete does not work at all, press the reset button on your computer. ➲ If you don’t have a reset button, press and hold the power button for approximately 5 seconds

What to Do When Your Computer Freezes ➲ Wait 10 seconds ➲ press Ctrl + Alt + Delete ➲ see if any tasks are not responding, if so end them (select the End Task button) ➲ try to return to the desktop by clicking the Cancel button

If Your Computer Is Still Having Printer or Lockup Problems ➲ click Start  Shut Down ➲ Then start up your computer and press the F8 key immediately after the memory check, then select Safe Mode

If Your Computer Is Still Having Printer or Lockup Problems DoIT: Windows - Disk Diagnostic Tools 229

If Your Computer Starts But Says: ➲ remove the floppy disk from your A: drive ➲ Or use your System disk to boot up the computer. Non-System disk or disk error Replace and press any key when ready missing operating system

Virus Scan ➲ Get virus scan software free for students from DoIT: The Security Starter software for UW- Madison can be downloaded here: ➲ If your little icon has red circle – if it doesn't look like this, then update virus scan software manually and/or reboot.

Make Backups ➲ It is essential that you backup your data files (Word documents, spreadsheets, important , etc.) everyday before you turn off your computer. ➲ While working, save your work every 5 to 10 minutes. ➲ I recommend you make a backup of your work on a different device at least every hour.

Make Backups ➲ On your computer at home save your work on the hard drive and USB stick. ➲ Backup is cheap. Your work is not. ➲ Buy and use an external hard drive. ➲ Burn CD or DVD of files for off-site safety. ➲ Upload essential files to mywebspace.wisc.edu

Try free online backup services, such as Mozy.com or Fabrik.com (offer as much as 2GB free space).

Backing up your Registry in Windows XP ➲ Use CFGBACKUP (Configuration Backup) to backup your Registry on the hard drive.

Create a Restore Point ➲ This backs up the registry so you can go back in time if your system has issues due to newly installed software. ➲ It does not protect from hard disk crash.

Create a Restore Point in Windows XP ➲ Start  Programs  Accessories  System Tools  System Restore ➲ Select Create a Restore Point ➲ Next, type a descriptive name, and select Create

Create a Restore Point in Windows XP

Create an Automated System Recovery Set Using Backup Requires access to external USB or disk drive Will not work with CD-R/DVD-R Start Backup in System Programs System Tools Accessories Advanced Mode Tools > ASR Wizard Click checkbox for “System State”

Basic Computer Maintenance ➲ Backups Backups ➲ Connecting to Internet Connecting to Internet ➲ Computer Freezes Computer Freezes ➲ Computer Won’t Boot Computer Won’t Boot ➲ Create a Startup Disk Create a Startup Disk ➲ Dust Dust ➲ Macintosh Computers Macintosh Computers ➲ Microsoft Word problems Microsoft Word problems ➲ Printer problems Printer problems ➲ Registry Backups Registry Backups ➲ Software - Installation Software - Installation ➲ Software - Uninstalling Software - Uninstalling ➲ Sound problems Sound problems ➲ Speed up your computer Speed up your computer ➲ Terminology Terminology ➲ Update device drivers Update device drivers ➲ Video problems Video problems ➲ Viruses

Basic Computer Maintenance ➲ Backups Backups ➲ Connecting to Internet Connecting to Internet ➲ Computer Freezes Computer Freezes ➲ Computer Won’t Boot Computer Won’t Boot ➲ Create a Startup Disk Create a Startup Disk ➲ Dust Dust ➲ Macintosh Computers Macintosh Computers ➲ Microsoft Word problems Microsoft Word problems ➲ Printer problems Printer problems ➲ Registry Backups Registry Backups ➲ Software - Installation Software - Installation ➲ Software - Uninstalling Software - Uninstalling ➲ Sound problems Sound problems ➲ Speed up your computer Speed up your computer ➲ Terminology Terminology ➲ Update device drivers Update device drivers ➲ Video problems Video problems ➲ Viruses

Basic Computer Maintenance ➲ Backups Backups ➲ Connecting to Internet Connecting to Internet ➲ Computer Freezes Computer Freezes ➲ Computer Won’t Boot Computer Won’t Boot ➲ Create a Startup Disk Create a Startup Disk ➲ Dust Dust ➲ Macintosh Computers Macintosh Computers ➲ Microsoft Word problems Microsoft Word problems ➲ Printer problems Printer problems ➲ Registry Backups Registry Backups ➲ Software - Installation Software - Installation ➲ Software - Uninstalling Software - Uninstalling ➲ Sound problems Sound problems ➲ Speed up your computer Speed up your computer ➲ Terminology Terminology ➲ Update device drivers Update device drivers ➲ Video problems Video problems ➲ Viruses

Safe Mode ➲ If Windows will not run correctly you may be able to access the Control Panel and fix problems by using Safe Mode. ➲ Start Safe Mode by: pressing F8 when the computer is starting up and selecting Safe Mode or hold down the shift key while the computer is starting up

Check the Device Manager ➲ Click Start  Settings  Control Panel  System, and click on the Device Manager tab. ➲ Note any hardware which has an next to it. ➲ You can also print out the Device Manager information for later use. ➲ Click computer, Properties button to see IRQs and I/O addresses.

Installing Software Check to make sure that your computer system meets the minimum requirements for the software to be installed. From Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint: click Help  About  System Info button in Microsoft Windows XP: click Start  Programs  Accessories  System Tools  System Information

Installing Software ➲ Backup your Registry. Backup your Registry ➲ Backup the original files. ➲ Look for README files which can give installation hints and tips.

Installing Software ➲ Start  Settings  Control Panel  Add/Remove Programs, and click the Install button ➲ or follow the directions in the manual or README file ➲ Once you have started an installation it is best not to cancel / abort it. Instead allow the installation to complete and then uninstall later.

Installing Software ➲ Realize that the more software you install, the greater chance for Windows to become unstable. ➲ After installing the program, and you are sure it works, you should backup your Registry again.backup your Registry

Uninstalling Software ➲ To remove software you may be able to use Start  Settings  Control Panel  Add/Remove Programs, and click the Add/Remove button. ➲ Read the documentation or README file which came with the program. ➲ Some programs put uninstall programs in the Start menu.

Uninstalling Software ➲ You may find an uninstall program in the directory/folder where the program resides. ➲ If that doesn’t work, find the folder where the program resides and delete it manually. ➲ It is not recommended that you delete any file in the WINDOWS directory or subdirectories.

Create a Startup CD ➲ If your hard disk has a problem you will need a bootable CD.

Inkjet Printer Maintenance ➲ Use a dust cover (an old pillow case works fine) to keep the print heads clean when printer is not in use. ➲ Do not turn off ink jets from a power strip. Allow ink jets to turn off by themselves or the ink cartridges may dry out. ➲ Keep your paper dry by storing it in Tupperware.

Inkjet Printer Quality Issues ➲ Try cleaning the print cartridges using the software which came with the printer. ➲ See the manual or toolbox software which came with your printer. ➲ For a HP DeskJet only: Remove the print cartridges and clean under the carriage with a damp paper towel. Allow to dry completely.

Laser Printer Maintenance ➲ Use a damp cloth to clean up toner spills inside. Let dry completely. ➲ Use a separate electrical outlet. ➲ You can extend the life of toner cartridges by gently shaking them back and forth when they say they are empty. ➲ Replacing toner cartridge fixes most print quality problems.

Laser Printer Paper Jams ➲ Keep your paper dry by storing it in Tupperware or drying it in the microwave. ➲ Do not run paper through a laser printer more than one time. ➲ Check paper path for little pieces of paper. ➲ Clean the printer rollers with 99% alcohol. Allow to dry completely.

Dust: the Enemy of Electronic Equipment ➲ Use a can of compressed air to remove dust from the inside of your computer at least once a year. ➲ Blow out the fan on your computer’s power supply and all vents. ➲ Do not spray compressed air into a floppy diskette drive.

Cleaning Your Mouse ➲ Flip the mouse over and remove the ball. ➲ Wash the ball with warm soapy water, rinse, and let dry. ➲ Use 99% alcohol and cotton swabs to clean off all of the grime. ➲ Use a small screwdriver or your fingernail to clean dirt off of the wheels inside the mouse. ➲ Replace the old dirty mouse pad.

How to Clean a CD-ROM disk ➲ Spray a non-ammonia based window cleaner on the data (not label) side of the CD-ROM. ➲ Use a paper towel or tissue to wipe from the inside to the outside edge of the CD-ROM. ➲ Do not wipe in a circular motion as you would for a vinyl record.

How to Clean a CD-ROM disk Use a paper towel or tissue to wipe from the inside to the outside edge of the CD-ROM.

If You Cannot Connect to the Internet ➲ Sometimes Internet Service Providers (ISPs) do not have enough connections. Wait 15 minutes and try to connect again. ➲ Try to connect during off-peak hours, i.e. not during the noon hour or in the evening. ➲ Try calling your ISP’s technical support phone number. ➲ See Troubleshooting your modemTroubleshooting your modem

Sound Problems ➲ Check the Volume Control on the task bar. ➲ Are the speakers turned on? ➲ Are the speakers plugged into the correct jack? ➲ Does the sound work with headphones? ➲ Check the volume and settings in the Multimedia Control Panel.

Sound Problems ➲ Try to play a system sound in the Sounds Control Panel. ➲ Check to see if there is a device conflict in the System Control Panel. ➲ See the documentation which came with your sound device.

Troubleshooting Macintoshes ➲ Mac OS X - Using Disk Utility to Repair a Disk ➲ Visit DoIT

Troubleshooting Microsoft Word ➲ Usually restarting your computer fixes any problem in Microsoft Word. If restarting your computer doesn’t fix the problem, exit Word, and find the file entitled NORMAL.DOT. Copy the NORMAL.DOT file, delete it from your hard drive, and then restart Microsoft Word.

Video Problems ➲ Check to make sure that the monitor is plugged in. Wiggle the power cord. ➲ Check to make sure that the monitor cable is securely attached to the computer. ➲ Turn up the brightness on the monitor. ➲ Try the monitor on another computer. ➲ Update your video drivers. Update your video drivers. ➲ Use Safe Mode to troubleshoot video modes.Safe Mode

To Speed Up Your Computer ➲ Run DEFRAG at least once a month to keep your hard disk working efficiently. ➲ Run SCANDISK before you run DEFRAG. ➲ Do not run DEFRAG if you have JAWS or Kurzweil installed on your computer. ➲ Windows 98 really slows down if DEFRAG is not run on a regular basis.

Update Device Drivers ➲ Device Drivers allow hardware components to work with/talk to your computer. ➲ Buggy device drivers can cause system crashes and freezes. ➲ Check the Internet for updated device drivers for your system components including video cards, printers, sound cards, modems, and network cards.

Update Device Drivers ➲ You will need to know the manufacturer name and model number of each component. From Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint: click Help  About  System Info button in Microsoft Windows 98: click Start  Programs  Accessories  System Tools  System Information

Determine the OS version on a Windows based computer ➲ Start  Settings  Control Panel System Control Panel ➲ 1. Click on Start. ➲ 2. Select Run. ➲ 3. In the Open field, type winver and click OK.

➲ Steps for Backing up the Registry ➲ Click Start  Run. The Run dialog box appears. ➲ Type regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor opens. ➲ Highlight My Computer if it is not already highlighted. ➲ click File  Export (WinXP)

➲ Steps for Backing up the Registry (cont)‏ ➲ * Click the Desktop icon. ➲ * In the "File name:" box enter a name that you will remember, such as regedit.bak. ➲ * Click Save. The file is saved to your Windows desktop. ➲ Save/copy this file to removable storage (USB stick / CD-R / DVD-R)‏

Windows - Booting into Safe Mode ➲ Turn on or restart your computer ➲ Press the F8 key repeatedly (sometimes it's the F5 key)‏ ➲ Select option #1 (Safe Mode) by pressing the 1 key on your keyboard or use the arrow keys to select it and press Enter

Windows XP & Windows Vista - Quick Fix for Networking Problems ➲ d=6653

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Goal ➲ To teach some very basic troubleshooting tips. ➲ To pass along some hints that will help you when you need to talk to computer repair people.

The End

As a Last Resort - Reinstall Windows ➲ Backup all of your data again. ➲ Make sure you have a bootable floppy disk with DOS CD-ROM drivers.bootable floppy disk ➲ Realize you will have to reinstall all of your programs. Are you sure you want to do this? ➲ Turn off the computer.

As a Last Resort ➲ Format the hard drive by restarting the computer and booting up to DOS with your boot disk. ➲ Are you sure you have everything backed up? ➲ At the DOS prompt type: FORMAT C: /S

As a Last Resort ➲ Press Y and press enter to verify that you really want to wipe out your hard drive. ➲ After the format, you will need to reinstall Windows. ➲ Reboot the computer, Insert your Windows CD-ROM, change to your CD drive letter (D: ?), type SETUP and press Enter.

Terminology ➲ BIOS = Basic Input /Output System which dictates how the computer is configured. ➲ crashes = use generally to mean that the computer has locked up and you lost your work. Technically it sometimes means that the hard drive is damaged. ➲ freezes = program has ceased to respond to keyboard or mouse input ➲ hangs = same as freezes ➲ lockup = same as freezes

Terminology ➲ Registry = a database of information required for Windows 95 or 98. ➲ Safe Mode = a way to Start up your computer without loading device drivers to run your CD-ROM, modem, video drivers, etc. Used for troubleshooting.

Basic Computer Maintenance ➲ Backups Backups ➲ Connecting to Internet Connecting to Internet ➲ Computer Freezes Computer Freezes ➲ Computer Won’t Boot Computer Won’t Boot ➲ Create a Startup Disk Create a Startup Disk ➲ Dust Dust ➲ Macintosh Computers Macintosh Computers ➲ Microsoft Word problems Microsoft Word problems ➲ Printer problems Printer problems ➲ Registry Backups Registry Backups ➲ Software - Installation Software - Installation ➲ Software - Uninstalling Software - Uninstalling ➲ Sound problems Sound problems ➲ Speed up your computer Speed up your computer ➲ Terminology Terminology ➲ Update device drivers Update device drivers ➲ Video problems Video problems ➲ Viruses