the basic guides to troubleshooting common windows pc problems

7/28/2019 The Basic Guides to Troubleshooting Common Windows PC Problems

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The Basic Guide toTroubleshooting Common

Windows PC Problems

Your Windows PC might be designed to makeyour life easier, but they often have a non-stop list of problems. Today we'll walk throughsome of the more common problems and how to troubleshoot them.

Image byxkcd

This list is, of course, by no means complete, and you should always use best practices tomake sure that your PCdoesn't need to be reinstalled all the time, isproperly secured with

anti-virus and a firewall, andis properly backed up at all times

but if you're currentlyhaving problems, keep reading for a list of common problems and troubleshootingtechniques.

PC Won't Boot Into Windows

Try Safe Mode First

When your PC just won't boot into Windows at all, you'll probably want to start off with SafeModeuse the F8 key right when the system starts up to access the menu and see if

Windows will boot into Safe Mode. If you're able to get into Windows, the problem is likelysomething that would load only when you boot normallygraphics card drivers, junkapplications, or perhaps some spyware applications.

Even Safe Mode Doesn't WorkIf you can't even get into Safe Mode, you shoulduse the Startup Repair tools, which can be
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accessed from the Advanced options in the Safe Mode menu; you can pull out your systemrepair disc, or your Windows installation disc and use the Repair option. If you're having a

bootloader problem that says "bootmgr is missing", you can use the command prompt froman installation CD and use the bootrec /fixbootcommand.

Use System RestoreSystem Restore in Windows XP might not have been the greatest tool, but since Windows

Vista came around,it's been an excellent choice for fixing up all sorts of problems, includingissues that cause your system to not boot anymore. While testing, I once deleted a bunch offiles in system32 to purposely cause a blue screen of death, and then used System Restore toget the system up and running again in minutes. If you're unfamiliar with the process, youcan follow this step-by-stepguide to restoring your PC with System Restore.

Try Booting Off an Ubuntu CDWhenever I'm having issues with a PC not booting up properly, one of the first things I do isgrab an Ubuntu Live CD and try and boot from that, and see how well the system is working.If everything is working in Linux, then you know the problem is likely just your Windowsinstallation, and not hardware related.

PC Crashing or Blue Screening

When your PC is crashing with the blue screenof death at random intervals, you should make sure that you firstdisable the automaticreboot after the blue screen, and then write down the error message so you can Google itlater. If you're able to get back into Windows, you can try using thepreviously mentionedBlueScreenViewtool to give you some extra information about the error message, but your

best bet is usually to do a search.

If you're using Windows 7 or later and you're getting a blue screen of death, chances are very

high that the problem is either driver or hardware related

contrary to legend, Windowsjust doesn't crash like that very much unless the problem is tied to hardware somehow.

Once you've identified the driver causing the problem, try and head into Safe Mode anduninstall or upgrade the driver causing the problemsometimes the driver won't be visible,so you'll need touse a command-line trick to show hidden devices in Device Manager. If

you're doing a bunch of work in Safe Mode, sometimes it's helpful toforce Windows to loadinto Safe Modewithout using the F8 key every time.
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No Luck? Recover Files and ReinstallIf you simply can't get anything else to work and you don't have a full backup, your best betis topull out an Ubuntu Live CD and back up files from your PC, and then start the processof reinstalling Windows again. If you're using the native Windows backup tools, you canrestore your system from an image backup, oruse the standard backup and restore process.

PC Is Running Slowly

Check Task Manager

The first thing that every geek is going to do when a computer is running slowly is open upTask Manager, orProcess Explorer(if you've already got it installed) to see what process istaking up the most CPU or memorythat's generally the culprit. While you're in there, it's agood idea to look for other resource-wasting apps that we can kill.

Uninstall CrapwareNow that we've killed the application that's currently killing the CPU, it's time to startgetting rid of applications that we don't need. You can useRevo Uninstallerand thePCDecrapifierto clean up applications without leaving extra traces.

Clean Up the PC

Cleaning up your PC is really quite easy. You can start by running Disk Cleanup, but if youreally want to get the job done, grab yourself a copy ofCCleanerand run through a cleaningsession. While you're at it, you canset up CCleaner to run on a scheduleto keep the PC cleanon a regular basis.

Scan for Viruses and SpywareIt's a good idea to run a system scan when your PC is running slower than normal and

you've already determined that it's not a runaway application. We thinkthe free MicrosoftSecurity Essentials app is the perfect tool for the job.

Use the Reliability MonitorThis under-utilized tool is anexcellent way to diagnose problemsand figure out what might

have caused your system problems

it will show you a full history of system crashes,application problems, and even Windows Updates, so you can track down what changed on

your system right before your system started running slow. Just type in reliability into theStart Menu search box, and you'll be able to see everything, and even drill down into specificerrors to see more details.

Use the Advanced Tools in Windows 7Windows 7 has quite a number ofuseful tools to troubleshoot performance problems, but
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they're buried in Control Panel where you might not think to look. Just head to PerformanceInformation and Tools > Advanced tools and you'll see a list of performance issues along

with suggested fixes for the problems.

Trim Down Startup Apps to Speed Up Boot TimesThis applies both when your PC takes forever to boot and when you've got a glut ofapplications running away in your system tray that you don't need; it's time to trim down

your startup applications. You can use the built-in MS Config utility or any number oftweaking applications, but you might want totake a look at Soluto, which not only helps youdisable startup applications, but it shows you exactly which ones are affecting your boottimes the most.

Internet Is Slow or Not Loading

Pull Out the Ping CommandIf you're having problems connecting to the internet, you should first make sure that you arereally connectedmost of the time you can pull out a command prompt (hit the Windowskey, type cmd, hit Enter) and type in a ping command likeping yahoo.com to see if you'regetting any response.

Disable and Re-Enable Your ConnectionIf you're not getting a response, you can try disabling and re-enabling your wirelessconnection, which solves more problems than it really should. If that doesn't work, use the

Windows network troubleshooter by right-clicking your wireless icon, and follow throughthe steps. Windows will disable and re-enable the adapter again, and wipe the DNS cachesas well. If you're still having problems, there's a good chance your internet connection is justdown.

Slow Response TimesSometimes the problem isn't connecting to the internet, but slow response times while

you're browsingor maybe your browser is simply hanging. If you're using Internet

Explorer, you canreset all your settings to fix problems; if you're using Firefox you canfollow this guide to troubleshoot problemsor justcompletely restore the default settings.

Web Site Not LoadingIf the problem is a specific web site not loading, you can checkdownforeveryoneorjustme.comto see if you're the only one having the issue with the websiteor you can often do a quick search on Twitter to see if other people are complaining as

well.
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Wireless Connection DroppingIf you're having problems connecting to your wireless and staying connected, you probablyneed to tweak your connection. You canchange your wireless channel to optimize yoursignal, but if you really want to make your connection better, tryinstalling another wirelessfirmwareorusing an old router as a repeaterto boost your signal.

Dealing with a Forgotten Password

While forgetting a password might not technically be a troubleshooting problem, it's a

common problem that needs to be solved. Your best best is to try andrecover yourpasswords using free toolsto crack your existing passwords.

If you've got an Ubuntu Live CD laying around, you canuse that to reset your password, or ifyou want a more streamlined Linux-based Live CD and you're not afraid of some command-line action, you canuse the System Rescue CD to reset your Windows passwordin no timeat all.

Windows Explorer Is Hanging

If you're having problems loading up Windows Explorer and browsing your file system, theproblem is almost always a shell extension that shouldn't be installed, or some shellextensions that are conflicting with each other. For example, the shell extensions forDropbox and TortoiseSVN tend to cause problems when you put your code into yourDropbox folder, causing hanging and generally slow file browsing.

Your best bet is to grab a copy ofShellExViewand start disabling third-party shellextensions, or uninstalling Windows Explorer plug-ins that you don't actually need. You canalso use this tool in combination withShellMenuViewtoclean up your messy Explorercontext menu.

Computer Is Overrun with Viruses or Spyware
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Types of Personal Computers

Computers that are focus-fully designed for individual users and purposes are known as Personal

Computers. All personal computers are based on the microprocessor technology that provides

manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. In businesses personal computers are used for

accounting, running spreadsheets, database management and many purposes like that. At home,PCs are used for playing games, surfing internet, doing studies, graphic designing and other

educational purposes like that.

The first Personal Computer was the Apple II which is designed by Apple Computers in 1977.

Furthermore,personal computershave so many types according to needs and designs that are

available in markets. Moreover, these computers are also depended upon sizes and chassis for

different usages.

Desktops

In desktop models the monitor sitting on the top of the computer. In early days like IBM PC weredesktopmodels which cases are horizontally oriented. Desktop models are limited to three internal

mass storage devices. These models are very small and referred to as slimline models.

Laptops

A laptop computer is a type of personal computers. In laptop computers, including a keyboard,

touchpad, display screen and speakers compiled into a single unit. It is powered by electricity via an

AC adapter whereasLaptopsare also called notebook computers ornotebooks. The first computerdescribed as laptop released in 1983 by Manuel Fernandez that was too bulky in size but assumed

as portable one at that time.

Notebooks

Notebooks computers are very light in weight as compare to laptop computers. Its weight is less

than six pounds and placed it easily in briefcase. The basic difference between the personal

computer andnotebooksis display screen. In notebook computers use flat panel technologies toproduce non-bulky display screen. If we talk about computing power, modern notebook computers

are nearly equivalent to personal computers. Notebookcomputersare more expensive than regular

sized computers.
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Netbooks

It is an informal classification of personal computers. But when tablet PCs are coming in market

netbooksare less common. Netbooks have ranged size of 5 inch screen diagonal and its weight is

approx one kg or 2 to 3 pounds. The netbboks trend came from Toshiba who launched the Libretto 6

inch netbook whose weight is 840g in early 1996 then Asus made first netbook it is sold over 300000units in four months. Dell, Acer and the other companies also took note and producing inexpensive

netbooks.

Tablet PC

It is a mobile computer which is larger than PDA or a mobile phone. Tablet computer integrated with

touch screen rather than using physical keyboard and also using digital pen. Intablet PCyou can

get a lot of functions like cell phone functions, wireless internet, GPS navigation and a video camera.Its weight is varies from 1 to 1.5 kg. Its battery life is three to ten hours. In2000s Microsoft attempted

to make a Microsoft Tablet Pc but it is failed because of high cost. But in April 2010 Apple Inc.

released the iPad which is low in cost and increased usability as well as battery life.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

PDA or Personal Digital Assistant is a device which can combines Telephone, fax, computing as well

as networking features. The basic functions of PDAs are as a mobile phone, email sender, faxsender, and personal organizer. Most PDAs are pen-based rather than a keyboard for input. The first

PDA Newton Message Pad launched by Apple in 1993. Due to their high prices and less

applications PDAs get modest success in market. The other names of PDAs are palmtops, pocket

computer and hand-held computer.

Computer Peripherals

The device which is connected to a host computer, but not part of it is called peripheral device.

These are also called input or output devices. Input, Output & Storage are maintypes of computerperipherals. A device such asHeadphones,Joysticks, Keyboards,Monitors, Mouse,Speakers, USB

Gadgets, USB Hubs, Webcams are known as Peripherals Devices.

Furthermore, new technologies for personal computers come very quickly and every new technology
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beats the old one. Thats why large personal computers converted into small books that come into

the pockets of consumers.

SOFTWARE COMPONENTS

The seven layers of software are (top to bottom): Programs; System Utilities; Command Shell;System Services; User Interface; Logical Level; and Hardware Level. A Graphics Enginestradles the bottom three layers. Strictly speaking, only the bottom two levels are the operating

system, although even technical persons will often refer to any level other than programs as part

of the operating system (and Microsoft tried to convince the Justice Department that their web

browser application is actually a part of their operating system). Because this technical analysis

concentrates on servers, Internet Facilities are specifically separated out from the layers.


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Examples

The following are examples of each category:

Programs: Examples of Programs include your word processor, spreadsheet, graphics programs,

music software, games, etc.

System Utilities: Examples of System Utilities include file copy, hard drive repair, and similar

items. On theMacintosh, all the Desk Accessories (calculator, key caps, etc.) and all of the

Control Panels are examples of System Utilities.

Command Shell: The Command Shell on theMacintoshis the Finder and was the firstcommercially available graphic command shell. OnWindows, the Command Shell is a poorly

integrated comination of the File Manager and the Program Manager. The command line (C:\

prompt) ofMS-DOSor Bourne Shell ofUNIXare examples of the older style text-based

command shells.

System Services: Examples of System Services are built-in data base query languages on

mainframes or the QuickTime media layer of theMacintosh.

User Interface: Until theMacintoshintroduced Alan Kays (inventer of the personal computer,

graphic user interfaces, object oriented programming, and software agents) ground breaking

ideas on human-computer interfaces, operating systems didnt include support for user

interfaces (other than simple text-based shells). TheMacintoshuser interface is called the

Macintosh ToolBox and provides the windows, menus, alert boxes, dialog boxes, scroll bars,buttons, controls, and other user interface elements shared by almost all programs.

Logical Level of Operating System: The Logical Level of the operating system provides high level

functions, such as file management, internet and networking facilities, etc.

Hardware Level of Operating System: The Hardware Level of the operating system controls the

use of physical system resources, such as the memory manager, process manager, disk drivers,

etc.
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Graphics Engine: The Graphics Engine includes elements at all three of the lowest levels, from

physically displaying things on the monitor to providing high level graphics routines such as

fonts and animated sprites.
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