How to troubleshoot computer problems

We often face issue of computer slowing down or hanging up when opening a software program. Don’t go nuts when you experience such a situation. If you are systematic, the issue can be resolved quickly. We will go here step by step to troubleshoot computer problems. These steps are mainly based on Microsoft Windows platform.

To troubleshoot computer problems check Software Issue

In step 1, check what are the latest changes made to your system. It is highly possible a new installation or update have destabilized the system. If your system is in auto update mode, it may update some driver or install some patch without your knowledge. You can check the latest update to the system in System Restore (more details about system restore in step 10). In most of the cases, either the new version is not compatible with your system or your system doesn’t have adequate memory (RAM) to execute the program. To troubleshoot computer, uninstall the new program or roll back the software. It resolves the issue majority of the time.

 

 

Invoke Troubleshooter to troubleshoot

To resolve any software issue, you can invoke the troubleshooter in your windows system. The troubleshooter can be invoked following Control Panel àAll Control Panel Items à Troubleshooting. This is the path in Windows 7 operating system. The path may be slightly different in other versions of windows. For example, if you are facing issue in connecting to the internet, you can click on "Network and Internet" in troubleshooter and then follow simple instruction. This only helps you, if the issue is because of any Microsoft component malfunction.

 

 

Microsoft Fix It, an option to troubleshoot computer

You can also go to Microsoft Fix It Solution Center. Few of the actions in step 2 are overlapping here, but I feel that it is more streamlined. Here, in step 1, select your problem area and in step 2, select what you are trying to do. For example, if my windows operating system becomes very slow, I will select Windows in step 1 and then select “Fix performance, errors or crashes” in step 2. Now in step 3, I will run “Fix Windows system performance on slow Windows Computers”.

 

 

Take help from Windows Help and Support

Minimize all windows and press F1. It will open up Windows Help and Support window. Type your question and try to find out the relevant answer for the same. For example, if you want to change the screen resolution of your monitor, simply type “screen resolution” in the space provided. Find below the screenshot, which provides 30 topics based on “screen resolution”. Click on the most relevant answer for you and work accordingly.

 

 

Check Software Problem

In case, the software is non-Microsoft software, you can go to the website of that particular software and check the resolution. For example, if I am having an issue with Google Chrome, I will go the Chrome troubleshooting center and find out the resolution for the same.

 

 

Troubleshoot computer through Software support

If you have licensed copy of the software, you have the right to ask for software support. Sometime, you may have to log a ticket for your complain. The support group will come back to you after investigating the problem. However, for retail customers, the support group may not take the complain on priority.

 

Browse through Technical Forum

You may search in Google, if someone else faced the same issue before and anyone provided the solution. There are good numbers of technical forums available for all kind of software. Even if no one faced the issue before, you may put your question in any of the relevant forums. While framing your question, ensure that you provide all the required details. It is always good to attach relevant screenshots. It does help the experts to understand the exact issue and provide solution accordingly.

 

Repair software

If none of the above steps solves your problem and the problem is related to a particular software, you can try repairing the software. For that, you have to go to Control Panelà”Program and Features” and then click on Repair on particular software. In case, you have the installable available with you, you can uninstall and install the software program. Before repairing or uninstalling, ensure that you have noted down all the existing configuration of the software.

 

It may be a Device problem

If the issue is pertaining to any of your devices, you can troubleshoot or uninstall the same through Device Manager. You can go to Device Manager from control panel. Once uninstalled, you can again reinstall it from device manager itself (most of the time, it gets reinstalled automatically, once the system identifies new uninstalled hardware). For example, if you have problem with your WiFi, you can check the WiFi adapter in the device manager.

 

 

System Restore, the ultimate solution to troubleshoot computer problems

If all the above steps fail, try to restore the system to an earlier check point. Windows automatically creates checkpoint of the stable windows system at different time interval. Installing a certain software or incompatible driver can slow your system or cause it to hang up. Restoring system to an earlier stable check point resolves the issue. You can access the "System restore" through All Program àAccessories àSystem Tools àSystem Restoration. The system restoration doesn’t impact any of your files. However, you may have to reinstall few software or driver post restoration to an earlier check point.

 

 

Still, the issue is not resolved? Well, then shut down your computer and give a call to a good computer technician.