Not every computer problem needs an IT professional. In fact, personal computers are becoming more and more simple to maintain. Here are some things you can try yourself before calling us.
Always First: Reboot
People seem to underestimate what rebooting your computer can do. It often resets a lot of the problems that you are having. So when in doubt, shut down and restart. See if the problem still exists when it comes back on.
This is a good time to remind you that shutting down your computer when not in use is a great way to extend the life of your machine as well.
Then: Unplug
Just about every piece of technology needs a hard reboot sometimes. Unplug the machine or unit for 30 seconds from the wall and the CPU (computer processing unit) and try again. This can work for computers, printers, and more.
If these two options don’t work, take a look at these common problems:
My computer is slow
This could be one of two major things – your computer or your connection.
Connection
If it’s a lack connection, you can find different types of routers and wifi boxes that can extend your connection throughout your space.
If it’s just the speed of your connection, you can test that with Fast.com. This will tell you how fast your download and upload speed is. This will tell you if you’re getting the speed you should from your internet service contract.
Computer
If you find the connection is fine, you can clean up your hard drive and speed up your computer with these tips here. You may still need some help, but these tips are a great starting point that you can try yourself first.
Pop-up ads come up – even if I’m not browsing
This can be frustrating. It’s probably adware in your system. You can run a scan to find these with a free tool by MalwareBytes Antimalware Free. That should find them for you and eliminate them. Learn more about Malware pop-ups here.
My programs aren’t working
Usually this is due to upgrades in the operating system. You may need additional plugins or updates. Check your OS version and the program’s website to see if you need a compatibility plugin or update. Often this is just a Java or an Adobe plugin update.
My computer keeps shutting down
Windows updates can causes a reboot or even a shut down, but there are many other causes like too much heat or overextending your computer. There are a few ways to check these.
- Check the heat of your machine. You can do that using the BIOS in your computer. There’s a Wiki here on how to do it.
- Reduce the amount of programs that start with your computer. You may have a lot of stuff running in the background unknowingly crippling your computer’s ability to keep up. Here’s another Wiki on how to do this.
We hope these tips help. If you continue to experience problems, call us. We can help.
