Maintaining your computer is as important as maintaining your car. Refusing to acknowledge this fact is often result to damage that will make you spend more than necessary, if you have yielded to self maintenance of your computer.
I often tell clients this, most problems they approach our office for are problems they could have been able to troubleshoot or prevent with some software like an antivirus, because of the nonchalant attitude towards their computer. It always results to damage before approaching us for repair. For this reason, I have decided to use this medium as a platform to enlighten not just our clients, rather the general public that seek knowledge regarding these common problems with computer.
Common Problems with Computer
The following problems are often associated with computer:
-Malware
-Hard Drive failure
-Internet or network connectivity is slow
-Slow performance
-Dead Power supply
-Missing CD/DVD drive
-Over Heating
-Lockups and Freezes
-The computer keeps restarting
-Programs don’t work on PC
-Having constant security warnings while browsing
-My search page looks weird
-PC keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi
-Getting Popups all the time
Our office receives at least two or more of these problems listed above on daily basis, except Sundays which some of us still receive calls concerning these problems. Even when we try instructing them on how to solve or troubleshoot these problems, many still prefers bringing it to the office. Therefore, I’m going to be discussing these common problems so that it may serve as guide to rectify or troubleshoot some of these problems by yourself. I will be taking them orderly as they are earlier listed above.
MALWARE:
It is a malicious code or software that includes viruses, spywares that are harmful to the computer. Your computer may get infected through the following means. Infected files downloaded from pee- to-peer connections, worms sent through emails and instant messages, through virus affected links especially from hackers, Trojan horse dropped from website etc.
Solution: I often recommend a good antivirus software, especially the premium kind that has all the features complete. This may help to prevent viruses getting into your computer. But in the case of affected one, I recommend that you first run or scan while your computer is in Normal Mode. If you are experiencing issues, should you try to reboot the PC in a Safe Mode with Networking, you can do the following steps.
-Remove all floppy disks, CDs/DVDs from the drive and then reboot your computer.
-If you are using Windows 7, XP or Vista, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. Beware that you need to press the F8 key before the Window’s logo appear. In other computers, is booting you will get a stuck key message. Note, if this happens, instead of pressing and holding the F8 key, tap the F8 key, proceed until you get the ABO (Advanced Boot Options) screen. In the case of Windows 8, press the windows key + C and click settings. Click power, hold down shift key on the keyboard and click Restart then click troubleshoot and select Advance Options. If you are using windows 8, press 5 on your keyboard to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
-If your computer is Windows 7, Xp, or Vista, in the Advanced Booting Option screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter on your keyboard.
Related:
HARD DRIVE FAILURE:
This is often suspected if you are hearing loud sound that is not associated with your computer before. In other words, this happens when a Hard Disk drive malfunctions and the warning signs include files sudden disappearing, computer freeze, frequent lock up during booting, file access suddenly slow to a turtle’s pace (i.e. opening or saving file takes unnecessary time).
Probably self solution:
-Check to ensure that the power cable is properly connected to the drive.
-Make sure the data cable is properly connected to the drive
-In the case of an IDE drive, make sure the ribbon cable is aligned properly. The question here maybe how do I align the ribbon cable properly; by ensuring the red edge of the cable is aligned with pin one of the connector on the drive. Note, pin one is the nearest to the power plug.
-Slave/Master assignment is correctly set in the case of an IDE drive.
In this case, I advise you seek the help of a qualified computer engineer except you know what you are doing.
SLOW INTERNET CONNECTION:
There are various reasons responsible for this. Often time, people point-pin Internet Service Provider (ISP). But sometimes, this may not be what is actually responsible for the slow connectivity. Rather, it can be one or combination of the following: Spyware and virus, internet connection via Wi-Fi; speed can be affected by the distance between your PC and the Wi-Fi provider, traffic jam on busy website, system overload, local internet congestion and browser Ad-ons also cause performance problems. Etc.
DEAD POWER SUPPLY:
This happens when you press power button and your computer gives no sign of activity or life. Check your charger with other PC if working properly. Also check your charging port if working properly then troubleshoot the battery life. This will help you know what is wrong before seeing your engineer if necessary.
MISSING CD/DVD DRIVE:
This occurs when your CD/DVD drive disappear, just wouldn’t play, unable to access your CD/DVD or probably it is not recognized by other applications. This can be very sensitive. Therefore, I advise you to seek the help of your engineer with little or no cost.
OVER HEATING:
This is a resultant effect of poor ventilation, poor or dying fan and even heavy use can result to overheating if the surrounding is not well equipped in terms of fans or Air Condition.
LOCK UPS AND FREEZE:
Lockups can be caused by numerous issues, sometimes it is bugging software or a system running out of memory; bad hardware or a resultant effect of overheating, RAM doing bad or hard drive failing. The important thing about this publication is that when you know the cause of a problem, preventing it or precautions is established and how to get it fixed.
FREQUENT REBOOTING:
This could be caused as a result of a series window updates, which seek several reboots sometimes. On the other hand, this could be a mechanical issue with the following signs.
– If your computer is usually hot
– If your computer makes odd sound
Solutions:
In this old computer, you might need to clean the dust that is accumulated inside the system unit. Follow your computer clean up guide. If the problem persists after cleaning the computer, run a virus scan and a Malware scan. If it still persists, I advise you see your engineer.
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