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Troubleshooting Tips Adapted from: PC’s for Teachers

    My computer doesn’t work!
    My screen is blank!
    Disk Error or Non-system Disk
    Frozen Keyboard
    Out of Memory Error
    My document just disappeared!
    I deleted my file from the disk!
    I've been denied access to my file!
    The printer doesn’t work!
    My mouse is dead!
    More Q&A Links

    Coping With PC Anxiety - a good article from Smart Computing
    Common Problems and Frequently Asked Questions - the Short List from Smart Computing
    Common Problems and Frequently Asked Questions - the Big List from Smart Computing


My computer doesn’t work!

     1. Check to see that the computer and monitor are plugged in.
     2. If you are using a power strip, plug the computer directly into an outlet instead.
     3. Plug the computer into a different outlet (there may be a blown circuit).

My screen is blank!

     1. Check to see whether the monitor is turned on.
     2. Ensure that the monitor is plugged into the back of the system unit.
     3. Turn the monitor off and then back on.
     4. Check the knobs that control the brightness and contrast - they may have been adjusted.

Disk Error or Non-system Disk

     1. You may have left a disk in the A drive. Remove it and press any key on the keyboard to reboot the computer.
     2. If you don’t have a disk in the A drive, and the message is accompanied by a "clunking" sound, turn the computer off and run for help (or cover)!

Frozen Keyboard

This usually happens when the computer tries to do too many things at the same time, gets lost and then starts wandering around, trying to remember what is was supposed to be doing.

     1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del (all three keys at the same time) to bring up the Task List. Select any program that says "Not responding" and click the End Task button. Repeat until all tasks are ended.
     2. Check to see that the keyboard is properly connected to the computer. Unfortunately you will have to shut the system down and then reboot before continuing with your work.
     3. If all else fails, turn the power off. Wait a couple of minutes before turning the computer back on.

WARNING: You will probably lose any unsaved changes to your documents if you restart the computer system by turning the power off and then turning it back on.

Out of Memory Error

There are a few things that could be happening: you could have too many applications running, or you could have too many documents with lots of graphics open.

     1. Acknowledge the error message; then check the taskbar to see what applications are running. Close the applications that you aren’t using.
     2. If you don’t have extra applications running, check the window menu of the application that is running to see what documents are open. Close those documents you aren’t using (remember to save changes to the documents!) and then try completing your task.
     3. If you still get the message, exit everything and reboot the machine.

My document just disappeared!

You could have accidentally told your computer to create a new document – a plain blank page – creating the impression that the work you had on your computer is gone. Look at the title bar of your screen to determine what document you are working with. Minimize the "new" document (do not just close it!), and the original document should return to the screen.

If this does happen, don’t panic (yet)! You may have accidentally selected text and then pressed another key on the keyboard while the text was highlighted. What you actually did was tell your computer to replace the selected text with the character you had pressed. Reverse the action by using the program’s undo feature.

I deleted my file from the disk!

This usually happens when you try "cleaning things up a bit", but unless you’ve emptied the Recycle Bin, your document should still be unharmed. Display the desktop and double-click on the Recycle Bin icon to locate the file.

I’ve been denied access to my file!

When you try to copy or do something else with a file while it is open, you may be told by the system that access is denied. Generally speaking, only one copy of a document can be open at a time, hence the message. Check your taskbar and Window menu to see what programs you have open.

The printer doesn’t work!

WARNING: Whatever you do, do not send the document to the printer again until you have identified and corrected the problem. Sending documents through numerous times clogs the network communication system and compounds the original problem.

     1. Check whether you logged onto the network correctly and/or whether you are still logged on as yourself. If you are not properly logged on, the network system will not recognize you as a legitimate user and refuse to connect your computer to the printer. Save your document, close the program and log on correctly.
     2. Check the printer. It may be OFFLINE or there may be a paper jam. The paper tray may need to be refilled too.
     3. Check the computer-printer or computer-network connection at the back of the system as it may have loosened somehow and severed communication between the computer and the printer.

My mouse is dead!

The average life expectancy of classroom mice is about two years, so it may really be dead and in need of replacement. The mouse may not really be dead, though. Check to see that the mouse is plugged in correctly – it may have loosened. If so, you may have to exit the program you were using, turn the computer off and then reboot it.
Or its innards may just be clogged up and need a good clean. Go here: Cleaning your mouse.

More Q&A Links

My computer is running slow - what steps can I do to fix it?
Why do Windows programs stop responding?
Windows freezes or stops responding frequently.
What should I do when a computer freezes?
Windows restarts without warning.
Computer turns off without warning.
I'm having problems installing software
Not a valid Win32 application
Missing Microsoft Windows .dll files.
Getting into Windows Safe Mode.




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