Computers are essential to the productivity of any organization, regardless of what industry you're in. For college students, the computer is everything. It is a necessity for communication and homework, a way to buy a dissertation and order groceries.
If you use computers daily, you will face some issues – one way or another. There are ways to fix the problem and continue your day.
You can easily fix eleven common computer problems.
PC Disconnects From Wi-Fi
Your PC may keep disconnecting from Wi Fi due to a number of reasons, including outdated drivers, faulty network cards, or security software blocking your connection.
Start by installing any necessary updates to your drivers. Check the power management settings of your network adaptor. Windows optimizes its power-saving features by turning off certain devices when not in use. However, this can cause network problems.
Start > Device Manager to disable the feature. Double-click the network adaptors to open their Properties window. Go to the Power Management Tab and uncheck “Allow this device to be turned off by the computer in order to save energy”. Click OK to save your changes.
Keyboard issues
You may have enabled toggle keys or filter keys if you are experiencing a keyboard that makes a clicking sound but does not allow you to type. Open the Control Panel to disable them. Select Change your keyboard from the list under Ease Of Access.
Scroll to the bottom of the window and de-check the options Turn on Filter Keys as well as Turn on Toggle Keys. Click OK to save the changes. Test your keyboard and see if it has resolved the problem.
PC Doesn't Turn On
Check all cables and connections for security.
If this doesn't help, you can try holding the power button down for one minute to reset everything. If it's a computer, you can try to remove the battery and plug it into an outlet. Try replacing the power cord of the monitor by the CPU if you're a desktop computer user.
Before you do this, you should unplug all external devices to rule out that they are the cause of your problem.
Search field missing from Start Menu
It is possible that a program has disabled the search box in your Start menu. Open the Start menu, and then click Control Panel. Under Programs, click Uninstall a program. Click on Turn Windows features off or on.
Windows Search should be checked. Check the box and click OK if it is not. The search feature will be enabled and the search box added back to the Start menu.
File doesn't open in the default program
It's a minor problem, but it can be annoying if you try to open a file, and it opens up in the wrong application.
Click on the file you wish to open and choose “Open with” from the menu. You can also click “Choose Another Application” in the menu. Select the app you want to use and check the “Always Use This App” box.
Slow Performance
Slower performance may be noticed in the applications that you use daily. This is likely an issue with your operating system. This is usually caused by fragmentation of your C drive (C). This is not a major problem – and can be easily fixed by performing some basic software cleaning. You can run a quick check in Task Manager to determine which programs are using the most RAM and CPU resources.
If you have a more complex hardware issue, your operating system will come pre-programmed with a suite of diagnostic and troubleshooting tests. If you have more complex hardware problems, your operating system comes pre-programmed with a set of diagnostic and troubleshooting tests that can be run to narrow the problem down.
Loud noises from Computer
If you hear clicking or grinding sounds coming from your computer, it could be a sign that the hardware is failing. It's likely that your computer is experiencing a hardware problem. If you hear loud sounds, it could be a variety of issues. However, the most likely culprit is your cooling fan or hard drive.
It's time to replace them if you notice the fans making noise when you open your computer case. The cooling fans are inexpensive and can be easily changed with a screwdriver. Other areas to check are the CPU fans, graphics cards, and power supplies. These replacements may be more expensive.
Computer Freezes Up Constantly
Computers are complex machines which manage many processes without your knowledge. Sometimes, this complexity can cause your computer to freeze and not respond to you. In nine out of ten cases, you can fix this by simply rebooting your computer. If you experience freezing, this could be due to insufficient memory, registry problems, corrupted data, or spyware. Check each of these issues until you find the solution.
You can check your memory by running system checks in the backround. These programs will run a thorough scan. They can check if viruses and registry errors are affecting your system resources. You can also get help from them to fix the errors.
Internet browsing is slow or unresponsive
It could be that your internet connection is slowing down or not responding at all. This can be due to a combination software and hardware problems. If you have already verified that your WiFi network or LAN connection is strong and active, then the delay could be caused by conflicts in the registration of IP addresses. This can be resolved by restarting your modem/router. If that doesn't work, it could be your browser.
Browser performance can be affected by a large cache and browsing history. You may also have faulty browser extensions which are slowing down performance. Clear your cache and internet history regularly to ensure that your browser runs smoothly. You can also try to reinstall your browser, or use a different browser altogether, if all else fails.
You're Seeing a BSOD
Nothing is more frightening than trying to work on an important document and being greeted with the BSOD. These errors are almost always hardware-related, and can signal serious system failures. It's not hopeless. A simple reboot may be enough to resolve the problem.
However, in most cases further diagnostics will be required to determine the root cause. You'll notice a white line of text if the blue screen appears. This will identify the issue your computer has. These codes can be found online, which will help you narrow down the problem and find a solution.
The screen display is distorted or has low resolution
It's likely that your graphics card is to blame if you see the desktop icons or text truncated after restarting your computer. Often, all you need to do is update your graphics driver. You can download the latest software from the manufacturer's site if you know your card model or brand.
If this doesn't solve the problem, it could be a larger issue with your hardware. You may have to replace your graphics card to fix the problem. In most cases the problem is software related.
It's important to remember that computer problems are not the end. You don't have to spend tons of money to upgrade your system. Take the time as issues arise to understand the causes of the problems and explore possible solutions. There are IT Support companies that offer a thorough analysis of your system and can provide solutions.
