Basic Troubleshooting

Here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and prevent problems that may occur.

PREVENTION

It has been said that the best offense is a good defense. That is very true with computers. The best way to avoid problems is to take proper precautions in advance. These include:

Maintaining the security of passwords.
Keeping the computer clean.
Maintaining room temperature so that the computer doesn’t get too hot and so that drastic temperature fluctuations don’t occur. Avoid temperatures over 75-80 degrees when possible.
Keeping food and drink away from the machines.
Moving cords away from places where people walk or covering them up.
Using surge suppressors and protectors to damage from power outages and spikes during operation.
Keeping the computer in plain sight and practicing supervision of students to avoid theft, vandalism, or unacceptable use.
Running the maintenance utilities described below.
Putting plastic mats on carpeted floors around computers to limit static electricity damage.
Placing computers so that the CPU is away from kicking feet, wet floors, precarious perches and other danger spots.
Not deleting files that might be needed by the computer to work.
Practicing virus security as described below.
Keeping a log of problems with the computer.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Second, a few basic steps will solve many problems. They don't take a genius to complete either:

Step One: Check and make sure the cords are plugged tightly into the machine.

Step Two: Write down any error messages.

Step Three: Unless you are worrying about losing a file that you were working on and hadn't saved, reboot the machine.

These simple steps will solve most of your problems. No kidding!

Some other principles to keep in mind:

Don't panic.
Try small steps first.
Determine the scope of the problem. What works and what doesn't work?
Write down problems in a trouble log and ask other users of the machine if they have experienced similar problems and if so, how they solved them.
Try just clicking OK when you get an error message. Most "errors" don't hurt your computer much at all.
Ask yourself "What changed between the time it was working and the time it wasn't?"
Back up any files that you couldn't bear to lose.
When problems are fixed, try to get the person who fixes them to explain what they did to you.
Go for help. Your school, district, and UtahLINK all have people who can help you. The UtahLINK Help Desk is at 585-7440 or 1-800-836-4396. When you call for help, be ready to describe what you tried, what the symptoms are, and what kind of computer you have.