Thread: How to troubleshoot computers

Chain reaction

If your problem is not easily solved by looking for a recent change that might have caused it, the next step is to consider all the different devices and programs that relate to your difficulty. Just as mechanical devices rely on many interconnected elements, and can fail if anyone of those breaks, computer programs and networks can be broken should anyone of several interconnected parts suffer from a problem.

This is sometimes easy to recognise. If a printer stops working and it is connected to the computer via a USB hub, for example, common sense dictates that we should check the printer, its connection to the hub, and then the connection between the hub and the computer. With some other systems, though, it's a little more complicated. If a wireless network stops working, for example, the problem could be caused at one end, with the computer, at the other, with the router, or in between.

If working with networking equipment, it's important to understand that the links in the chain of products must sometimes be connected in the right order. In particular, most home networks rely on many devices connecting to a single router. Restarting each device is often enough to fix simple problems, but as all the other devices rely on the router to provide them with a network address it's vital to restart that first.

Ifsimply restarting or reconnecting evelY device in the chain does not work, employ a process of elimination. If you are having trouble with a printer connected to a wireless network, for example, you should first check whether other devices are connecting properly. If they are having no problems, then the problem is likely to lie with the printer's settings.


Same for software

While the way hardware devices interconnect is simple, it's a little harder to see how a similar chain of parts can be the cause of software problems. Think about the way that a software program works, though, and you'll see that none runs entirely in isolation.

Most obviously programs all rely on Windows to some extent, so a problem in the operating system could be causing difficulties. If the program relies on any particular peripheral devices then those could be at fault: if scanning then check the scanner and its connections, for example, or if having trouble burning a disc then see if the optical drive is still working in Windows. Most hardware devices require some sort of driver software in order to run, and if this is not working then it might prevent the program itself from functioning properly.

As with hardware problems, the best way to work out exactly which part could be causing a software problem is to check each one in isolation. If the program produces sounds then it must rely on the Windows sound drivers, so check another program with sound to see if those are working.If it relies on internet access, check a web browser to see if you are connected. [fall else fails another program might be interfering, so close all other programs and check for viruses.


Help is at hand

This approach will help solve many, but not all, difficulties. If you still find yourself defeated, remember that help is at hand from the millions of other computer users connected to the internet. Most software problems produce an error message of some sort, and carefully copying that into the search of a search engine such as Google will often find pages where other users explain how they fixed the problem.

Even if a search doesn't help the internet may hold the answers you need on one of the many great computer help forums.

Taking a calm, logical approach to PC problems will often produce results. To help you get started, we've produced three exclusive guides showing a logical way to troubleshoot three of the most common PC problems: a failed internet connection, a suspected virus infection and a program that won't run. You'll find these on pages 61, 62 and 63, ready to cut out and keep.