Simple Solutions for Common Computer Problems

Computers are complex devices, but certain computer problems are surprisingly simple to solve. Troubleshooting these problems on your own could save you a repair bill — and often the expert’s solutions are so simple that you find yourself saying, “I should have thought of that!” Here’s what to try when your computer tries your patience…

Problem: The computer will not turn on.

What to try first: A loose power cord is the most likely culprit — but not just where the computer plugs into the wall or power strip. What many users fail to check is the other end of the power cord, the one that connects to the computer. Push the end of the power cord that connects to the computer firmly into its socket. If the computer is a laptop, there might be a third connection to tighten as well, where the power cord meets the external power adapter — the small box located midcord. Try to turn the computer on again once all of these connections have been made firm.

If that doesn’t work: Plug another electrical device into the outlet or power strip that you’re using to power the computer. If this device won’t power on either, the problem probably is the power strip, a circuit breaker or a wall switch controlling the outlet, not the computer.

If none of this works, your computer might have a problem with its power supply, a component that distributes power to other components inside the system, such as the hard drive. A repair shop can test this in minutes.

Problem: The computer loses its Internet connection.

What to try first: Unplug your modem’s power cord. Also unplug your network router, if you have one. Let these devices sit unpowered for one full minute, then plug them back in and wait a minute or two as they restart. Now refresh your Internet browser to see if the connection has returned.

If that doesn’t work: Check your modem and router for reset buttons. If you find them, press them both, wait a minute or two, then see if the connection has returned.

If it hasn’t, call your Internet service provider’s tech-support line — this phone number should be on your bill. Explain the problem, and ask for assistance. A representative might inform you that service temporarily is down throughout your region. Otherwise he/she should walk you through possible solutions.

Problem: The Internet slows way down.

What to try first: If there are multiple computers in your household, see if someone else is downloading or streaming a TV show or movie… uploading pictures… downloading music files… or making a video phone call. If so, your Internet speed should improve as soon as this ends.

If that doesn’t work: Your computer might have a virus. Update your security software, and use it to run a scan. If you do not have security software, use the free online scan offered by computer security software maker Kaspersky (http://USA.Kaspersky.com, select “Free Antivirus Scan” at the top of the page).

Problem: A Web site won’t accept your password.

What to try first: Check whether your keyboard’s caps-lock light is lit. If it is lit, press the keyboard’s caps-lock button to turn it off, then reenter your password. Many password fields are case-sensitive and reject passwords that are accidentally entered in all capital letters.

If that doesn’t work: Look for a link on the Web site labeled “Lost Your Password?” or something similar. Click this, and follow the directions to reset or retrieve your password.

Problem: The computer is on but not responding to any commands.

What to try first: Confirm that your keyboard and/or mouse cables still are properly connected to your computer. If you have a wireless keyboard and/or mouse, make sure that the transceiver is plugged firmly into the computer. If it is, reset the keyboard and/or mouse’s wireless connections by pressing the connection buttons typically found on the bottoms of these devices. If that doesn’t work, try changing the batteries in the mouse and keyboard.

If that doesn’t work: Restart the computer by pressing and holding the power button for five seconds.

Problem: The DVD or CD drive won’t open.

What to try first: Straighten a paper clip, slide it into the small hole on or near the door of the disk drive and push gently. The door should open slightly. Once this door is open a bit, you slowly can pull it open the rest of the way without damaging the computer.

If that doesn’t work: Restart the computer.

Problem: You’re buried by dozens of pop-ups whenever you go online.

What to try first: Your browser’s pop-up blocker might be disabled. To turn it back on…

In the Internet Explorer browser, select “Pop-Up Blocker” from the Tools menu, then select “Turn On Pop-Up Blocker” if this is offered. (If your pop-up blocker already is on, you will instead be given the option “Turn Off Pop-Up Blocker.” Do not select this.)

In the Mozilla Firefox browser, select “Tools,” then “Options,” then “Content,” and click the box next to “Block Pop-Up Windows” if it is not already checked.

In the Safari browser, select the “Safari” menu, then choose “Block Pop-Up Windows” if not already checked.

If that doesn’t work: Your computer might be infected with adware, a form of computer virus that displays advertisements. Update your security software and run a scan, or use Kaspersky’s free online scan, mentioned above.

Problem: A program is chronically crashing or freezing.

What to try first: If rebooting doesn’t help, then updating the program often solves the problem. Open the program, select the “Help” pull-down menu, then look for the option labeled “Update” or “Check for Updates” and follow the directions. If you don’t see a menu listing like this, visit the software publisher’s Web site and see if updates are available in the “Support” section.

If that doesn’t work: Uninstall the program, then reinstall it. However, do not uninstall unless you are certain you have the installation disk or can download the program online for free.

Problem: It takes much longer than it used to to start the computer.

What to try first: Viruses might be causing this slowdown. Update your security software and run a full system scan, or use Kaspersky’s free online scan, mentioned above.

If that doesn’t work: Remove anything nonessential from the list of programs that start up each time you start your computer. To do this in Microsoft Windows, click the Windows “Start” button — the Start button is the on-screen button that lets you open a program or shut down your computer, not the actual power button on the computer itself. Select “All Programs” from the menu that appears, then select the “Startup” folder from this list. Right-click on programs in this folder that you don’t need to run each time the computer starts, then select “Delete.” This will not delete the program from your computer but will simply drop it from the list of programs launched at start-up, likely reducing start-up times.

Mac owners: To select programs that you don’t want to start automatically, choose “System Preferences,” click “Accounts,” then “Login Items.”

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