What should you do when you experience a common software or hardware issue? Technology can be intimidating, especially if you are a baby boomer surrounded by kids in the workforce who seemingly know it all. There is no need any online college degrees courses for this. Here are some insights to help you troubleshoot common computer problems at work.
If your computer refuses to turn on when you push the button, there are a few things to check before asking for help. First, make sure it’s plugged in. Also, check to see if the monitor is securely attached and that the screen is on.
Once you are sure that the power is on and you see a light on the computer indicating that it should be working, if the screen is still blank, there could be an issue with the video card. The IT guy would be quite impressed if you could identify this issue while calling him.
Are you having issues with Windows? This is fairly common, which is why they include recovery disks, or prompt new owners to create their own backups. If you are having problems, you could reinstall the program from your backup.
If your computer is simply not responding appropriately to your prompts or is acting strangely, sometimes simply restarting your system can correct the minor bug. Though it is a hassle that can delay your day by a few minutes, it’s also a great time to take a coffee break.
Is your computer running slowly? By defragmenting your hard drive regularly, scanning for viruses, and cleaning out old programs that are unneeded, you can easily increase performance dramatically. Not only will that solve your problem short term, but it will also make your week easier, and your job less frustrating.
With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to solving the day-to-day problems that may crop up with computers.