PC Problems

Troubleshooting for PC Troubleshooting PC computers The infamous 'Mac vs. PC' advertising campaign constructed by Apple suggested that PCs were notoriously error-ridden and virus-prone. Still, the majority of the world uses personal computers vs. Macintoshes. There are a number of important principles to keep in mind when troubleshooting problems on PCs. In most instances, there is no need to panic and certain basic steps can take care of even the most frightening, major errors related to a PC.

First and foremost, when troubleshooting any issues on a PC, you must eliminate the most obvious problems. Check to make sure the computer is turned on properly, if it is not functioning. Make sure all of the connections are securely plugged in and that the PC is attached to a working outlet. If it is plugged into a surge protector, make sure the surge protector is turned on ("Basic troubleshooting techniques," 2015). If the computer is running slow, check the broadband connection.

If the Internet connection is not the issue, make sure there is enough space on the hard drive for the computer to function properly (Kim 2013). Some of the simplest fixes are the most obvious notes PC Magazine. Restarting the computer can solve many issues although if a computer needs to be restarted on a very frequent basis, further exploration of what is amiss is needed (Kim 2013). And before actually restarting the entire machine, finding and shutting down the specific procedure which is causing the issue is preferable.

For example, you can always: "Restart Windows Explorer. To do this, press and hold Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. Next, locate and select Windows Explorer from the Processes tab and click Restart. If you're using Windows 8, you may need to click More Details at the bottom of the window to see the Processes tab" ("Basic troubleshooting techniques," 2015). If Windows Explorer is not causing the issue, selecting another process which is (such as the browser) and ending that particular task may be useful.

One of the most common complaints PC users have is the appearance of the so-called 'blue screen of death.' "A Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), technically called a STOP error, occurs when Windows suffers a serious error and is forced to 'stop' completely" but "almost every STOP error includes a STOP code that can be used to research a fix" (Fisher 2015). Writing down any error codes which arise is essential when troubleshooting complaints, regardless of how the issue manifests itself.

But ideally, preemptively dealing with potential issues is also important, which means making sure that Windows automatically updates to circumvent potential problems (Kim 2013). Having effective antiviral software is essential to prevent issues related to malware and viruses. Getting rid of adware and spyware (which results in constant 'pop up' messages) can be challenging and may require more intensive intervention than a simple scan. "If that program doesn't find and remove the adware, turn to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free, a great utility for removing all types of malware.

Just make sure to disable your standard antivirus software.