| Common Computer Problems & What To Do About Them |
| Common Computer Problems & What To Do About Them |
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The following information is provided by www.johnniemccoy.com
These tips and fixes are very basic and only cover
very common problems with computers using Win 95/98. Other versions of Windows,
like XP, ME, etc., may appear different depending on how you have them setup but
the fixes and tips are basically the same.
Computer won't start
Printer won't print
Scanner won't scan
Mouse not mousing well
Mouse not mousing at all
Keyboard not keyboarding
Computer takes a long time to start up or you have low
resources
Computer won't shut down
How to get help - where to look
A good cleanout - often fixes everything
Everything is all screwed up - sure way to unscrew it
COMPUTER WON'T START
Push the on/off switch. Sometimes they get dirty or just plain old.
Check to see if it is plugged in - at the wall, the surge protector (if you have
one) and the back of the computer.
Plug something else in the wall outlet to see if there is power there.
Check the plugs to see if they are bent - not making good contact in the
sockets.
Listen to the computer. It might be on and the trouble is with the monitor.
If you hear nothing and the lights on the computer box don't come on you may
have a blown power supply.
If the computer is on but the screen is blank, check to see if the monitor is
turned on - all plugs are securely plugged in. If all is on, check the settings
on the monitor - contrast, brightness
PRINTER WON'T PRINT
Is it turned on? If so, turn it off then back on.
Checked all AC plugs from the wall to the printer and anything in between.
Check the cord from the computer to the printer. Jiggle the connectors gently to
see if they are firmly seated.
Is there paper in the printer? If so, is it feeding properly?
Is there any paper jammed in the printer?
Are the ink cartridges empty?
Turn the printer off and shut down the computer. Re-boot and turn the printer
on. Try the printer again.
Click "Start" - "Settings" - "Printers". Click on your printer and make sure
that it is the Default Printer. (XP - Click "Start" - "Control Panel" -
"Printers and Faxes")
In Printer Settings, make sure that there is not already a printing job in
progress that shows an error.
Test your printer communications. If you don't know how, check the documentation
that came with your printer or, in the programs menu (click "Start" - "Programs"
then your printer software listing), there should be a "Help" or "Read Me"
listing. Re-install your printer software. Go to the printer manufacture's
homepage and download the printer driver (little program that makes it work) for
your printer. You can probably find their site by typing "www.(name of
company).com" in your browser's address field. If not, find the homepage by
typing the name of your printer in your browser's search field and look for the
company's homepage. Look around in the site and you will find the driver for
your specific printer and your operating system (Windows 95/98/XP, etc.).
Download and install the driver. Restart your computer and try the printer
again. You will probably need "Winzip" to unzip and install the driver. Get it
at "www.winzip.com". Download the evaluation copy for this (it will work) but if
you think you will need Winzip in the future (if you download a lot of things)
you should pay for it.
SCANNER WON'T WORK
Basically, do the same things that apply to a printer that won't print (plugs,
cords, test communications, driver, re-install, etc.) except for paper and ink
stuff.
Make sure that whatever you are scanning is inserted properly (right side up,
etc.).
Often, the scanner is working but is putting the scan where you can't find it.
Check your documentation to see how to set it to put your scans where you can
find them
MOUSE NOT WORKING WELL
Remove the round thing on the bottom that holds the ball in and take the ball
out. Wash the ball with soap and water. Notice the 3 rollers inside the mouse.
They probably have crud on them. Scrap it off so that the rollers are clean. Put
the ball back in (dry it first) and replace the cover. Wow, works great now, huh
MOUSE NOT WORKING AT ALL
Shut down the computer. Unplug the mouse and plug it back in. Restart the
computer.
Right-click the "My Computer" icon your Desktop. In the menu that appears choose
"Properties". Look in the "Device Manager" for "Mouse". (XP - open Device
Manager by hitting the Winows key - the one with the win flag on it - and the
Break key together) If there is a yellow exclamation point beside it you will
probably have to re-install the mouse driver (see www.geocities.com/johnniemccoy/drivers.html
for driver installation or reinstallation for all peripharals)
If you have recently installed or re-installed hardware, especially a scanner,
you may have an IRQ conflict (we are not going into that here - email me for
this one)
KEYBOARD NOT WORKING
Shut down the computer. Unplug the keyboard and plug it back in. Restart the
computer.
Take it apart and wash it with mild soap and water...really. Do not wash
anything that looks electronic (there's hardly anything in there like that).
Make sure it's good and dry before putting it back together.
Buy a new keyboard...they're cheap
COMPUTER TAKES A LONG TIME TO START UP OR YOU HAVE LOW
RESOURCES
Click "Start", then "Run".
In the "Open" field type "msconfig" and click "OK".
The utility that opens will have "Tabs" at the top. Click the one that reads
"Startup".
You will see a list of all the programs that run when you start Windows. They
will have check marks in the boxes to their left. We do not want them all to
start.
Remove all the check marks (by clicking on them) except the ones beside "SystemTray"
- "ScanRegistry" - "LoadPowerProfile" and "Task Monitor." Also leave a check
mark in anything that has the name of, or abbreviation of, your antivirus
program or anything that looks like it might apply to "Norton" products.
Click "OK" at the bottom. You will be asked if you want to re-start your
computer - do it. If, in the future, you notice things that you are used to
loading when you boot up, but aren't - and that you want to load - then go back
and check their boxes. See my article on
msconfig for more information
about the workings of msconfig.
COMPUTER WON'T SHUT DOWN
Go through the same procedure as in "COMPUTER TAKES A LONG TIME etc." This will
minimize the number of programs that Windows has to close before shutting down.
Click "Start" then "Run" In open, type "msconfig." When the System Configuration
Utility appears, click "Advanced." Put a check mark in "Disable Fast Shutdown.
That usually fixes it. Make sure you have downloaded the Windows 98
updates from the Microsoft site.
A GOOD CLEANOUT MAY CURE YOUR ILLS RIGHT OFF THE BAT
Sometimes, you can search forever for a complicated solution to a annoying or
disabling problem that can be solved simply by taking out the trash. Seriously,
it's amazing how bound up your computer can become from daily use. When you
can't find the answer, try the following.
Uninstall every program that you don't use very often (never! ever! delete a
program). Goto: "Start" then "Settings" then "Control Panel" and choose
"Add/Remove Programs. Uninstall them from there. When you have finished, restart
your machine.
Delete all your Temporary Internet Files. Right Click on the Internet Explore
icon on your desktop. In the menu that appears choose "Properites." The
"Internet Properties" box will appear - In the "Temporary Internet Files"
section, click "Delete Cookies." When it finishes deleting the cookies, click
"Delete Files." - a smaller box will appear, in it, put a check mark in "Delete
all Offline Content" and click "OK." The pointer will turn into an hourglass -
when it finishes it will turn back into a pointer and you can click "OK" and the
bottom.
Now goto: "Start" then "Find" then "Files or Folders." When the "Find: All
files" window opens, make sure that "C" or "Local Drive" (you get the idea)
appears in the "Look in" field. In the "Named" field, type "*.tmp" - that's an
asterisk - a dot - and the characters t m p. Click "Find Now." When it has
finished searching, go to the top-left of the screen and click "Edit." In the
menu that appears choose "Select All." All the files will turn blue. Right click
them and delete them.
Scroll back up this page and do what it says under "COMPUTER TAKES A LONG TIME
TO START." This fixes a world of problems.
Click here and scroll down to the "free stuff." The downloads there will help
you keep clean in the future.
EVERYTHING IS ALL SCREWED UP
This is for when everything is just a mess and you can't get anything to work.
You've tried everything. You're pulling your hair out cause it worked fine
yesterday but today it's a disaster. What we are going to do is make it like it
was yesterday. This is easier to do in Windows XP (XP - open "Help and Support"
and type "System Restore" in the search field) cause this function is build in
but it you're using 98 you have to do it this way.
Start your computer and just start tapping the F8 key. Eventually you will see a
black screen with some old-style white print on it (just like the old days
before windows). It will say "Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu" at the top.
Using the "down arrow" on your keyboard, choose number 5 which is "Command
prompt only." and hit "Enter." It will display the C prompt. After "C:\>" type "scanreg
/restore" (there is a space between scanreg and /restore) and hit "enter.". The
"Microsoft Registry Checker" will open. You will see some dates with the word
"Started" beside them. Use the down-arrow to choose the latest one. If the word
"Restore" is not highlighted, use the "TAb" key to highlight it. Now hit
"Enter." and just do anything it tells you to do. When all is finished your
computer should reboot and work the way it did on the date you chose.
These days spyware is the culprit of a lot of
computer woes. Take a look at my
malware site for help with this
evil demon.
HOW TO GET HELP
If you have access to the Internet open your browser and go to google.com and
type some words that pertain to your problem in the "Search" field. You should
find numerous websites that offer help on your specific problem. You may have to
try different combinations of search terms before finding what you need.
Try using your browser to find the homepages of the manufacturers of your
computer or peripherals (just type the name of the stuff you're having trouble
with) and check their "Customer Support links" for information and
troubleshooting.
If these tips don't help or you just don't want to deal with it, I'm only a
phone call or
email away and I'd be glad to
help.
