How To Keep Your PC Computer Running

1
How To Keep Your PC Computer Running

• An Introduction to Basic Computer
  Troubleshooting

LITA at SLIS
By William Straub January 2009
2
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.

3
Computers and Cars

• Both computers and cars need regular maintenance.

Would you run an automobile without changing the
oil every 5000-10000 miles?
4
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.

5
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

6
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.

7
Protect Your Computer on the Network

• Virus Scan
• Firewall
• Updates for your operating system (Windows update
  or Microsoft update)
• Update/patch essential software

8
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

9
System Updates

• Essential to protect from malware/hackers

In Windows XP Start gt Programs gt Accessories gt
System, then Automatic Updates tab
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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.

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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.

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If You Cannot Solve the Problem

• Know your limitations.
• Write down the symptoms and anything you tried to
  do to fix the problem.
• Contact DoIT
• Contact the company who sold you the computer.
• Go to your local library-- use public computer or
  local Yellow Pages

13
Basic Computer Maintenance

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

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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.

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If Computer Is Frozen (continued)

• If Ctrl Alt Delete does not work at all,
  press the reset button on your computer.
• If you dont have a reset button, press and hold
  the power button for approximately 5 seconds

16
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

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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

18
If Your Computer Is Still Having Printer or
Lockup Problems

• DoIT Windows - Disk Diagnostic Tools
• http//kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id229

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If Your Computer Starts But Says
Non-System disk or disk errorReplace and press
any key when ready

• remove the floppy disk from your A drive
• Or use your System disk to boot up the computer.

missing operating system
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Virus Scan

• Get virus scan software free for students from
  DoIT
• The Security Starter software for UW-Madison can
  be downloaded here http//www.cio.wisc.edu/securi
  ty/secure/
• If your little icon has red circle if it
  doesn't look like this, then update virus scan
  software manually and/or reboot.

21
Make Backups

• It is essential that you backup your data files
  (Word documents, spreadsheets, important e-mail,
  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.

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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

23

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

24
Backing up your Registry in Windows XP

• Use CFGBACKUP (Configuration Backup) to backup
  your Registry on the hard drive.

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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.

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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

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Create a Restore Point in Windows XP
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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 gt ASR Wizard
• Click checkbox for System State

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Basic Computer Maintenance

• Backups
• Connecting to Internet
• Computer Freezes
• Computer Wont Boot
• Create a Startup Disk
• Dust
• Macintosh Computers
• Microsoft Word problems

• Printer problems
• Registry Backups
• Software - Installation
• Software - Uninstalling
• Sound problems
• Speed up your computer
• Terminology
• Update device drivers
• Video problems
• Viruses

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Basic Computer Maintenance

• Backups
• Connecting to Internet
• Computer Freezes
• Computer Wont Boot
• Create a Startup Disk
• Dust
• Macintosh Computers
• Microsoft Word problems

• Printer problems
• Registry Backups
• Software - Installation
• Software - Uninstalling
• Sound problems
• Speed up your computer
• Terminology
• Update device drivers
• Video problems
• Viruses

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Basic Computer Maintenance

• Backups
• Connecting to Internet
• Computer Freezes
• Computer Wont Boot
• Create a Startup Disk
• Dust
• Macintosh Computers
• Microsoft Word problems

• Printer problems
• Registry Backups
• Software - Installation
• Software - Uninstalling
• Sound problems
• Speed up your computer
• Terminology
• Update device drivers
• Video problems
• Viruses

32
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

33
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.

34
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

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Installing Software

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

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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.

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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.

38
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.

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Uninstalling Software

• You may find an uninstall program in the
  directory/folder where the program resides.
• If that doesnt 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.

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Create a Startup CD

• If your hard disk has a problem you will need a
  bootable CD.

41
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.

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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.

43
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.

44
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.

45
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 computers power supply
  and all vents.
• Do not spray compressed air into a floppy
  diskette drive.

46
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.

47
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.

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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.

49
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 ISPs technical support phone
  number.
• See Troubleshooting your modem

50
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.

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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.

52
Troubleshooting Macintoshes

• Mac OS X - Using Disk Utility to Repair a Disk
• Visit DoIT http//helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu

53
Troubleshooting Microsoft Word

• Usually restarting your computer fixes any
  problem in Microsoft Word.
• If restarting your computer doesnt 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.

54
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.
• Use Safe Mode to troubleshoot video modes.

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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.

56
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.

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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

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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.

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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)

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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)?

61
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

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Windows XP Windows Vista - Quick Fix for
Networking Problems

• http//kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id6653

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The End
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The End
65
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.

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The End
67
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.
• Realize you will have to reinstall all of your
  programs. Are you sure you want to do this?
• Turn off the computer.

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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

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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.

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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

71
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.

72
Basic Computer Maintenance

• Backups
• Connecting to Internet
• Computer Freezes
• Computer Wont Boot
• Create a Startup Disk
• Dust
• Macintosh Computers
• Microsoft Word problems

• Printer problems
• Registry Backups
• Software - Installation
• Software - Uninstalling
• Sound problems
• Speed up your computer
• Terminology
• Update device drivers
• Video problems
• Viruses