Summary

Computer troubleshooting can be a long and frustrating process unless you apply a systematic approach to your efforts to find and fix problems.

Your standard troubleshooting routine should include these steps:

• Define the problem.

• Try restarting the computer.

• Try the simple fixes first.

• Isolate the problem-try replacing parts or shutting down programs, one by one.

• Look for help. You might find the information you need in this book, or in the online Windows Help and Support pages, or on the Internet. If you're still unable to fix the problem, talk to your local experts or hardware or software manufacturer's technical support center.

• If you see one or more error messages, copy the exact text and search for an explanation on the Internet.

• If a suggested fix doesn't solve the problem, do what you can to restore the system to its condition before you started to work on it.

• Keep track of everything-error messages and other symptoms, and all the things that didn't solve the problem. Even if something didn't solve a problem, that information might be useful to a tech support advisor. And when you do fix it, your notes will be tremendously helpful if the problem returns.

And finally, don't panic. Your computer isn't haunted. Somebody else has seen the same problem, and probably figured it out-the world of formal and informal tech support, and the collective wisdom of the Internet can almost always help you, if you know where to look.