Written by James Boynton

Computer does not fire up

1. Make sure that the computer has power, including the plug and surge protector.
2. Make sure that the computer and the surge protector is turned on.
3. If fan is working, but nothing is on the screen, check the monitor for power and the connection to the computer.

Strange messages

1. Look for a disk in the A: drive - should say something like non-bootable disk.
2. Don't panic - Read the message and follow the instructions.
   May be as simple as the keyboard may not be plugged in properly.

Modem

1. Make sure that it is plugged into the phone jack and that the jack is working.
2. Frequent disconnects can be a phone line problem - contact your phone company.
3. Lightening can come in on the phone line, so be sure that there is a surge protector on the phone line and that it is plugged in.
4. A cable modem should have 3 lights lit and a transmit light that works when you click on the Internet icon.
5. Power surges can freeze the modem either in the on or off position.
6. If you have a router make sure it is plugged in and the cables are in the right location the WAN plug is for the connection from your modem.
7. May need to reset the cable modem and router once in a while. Unplug them, let the power drain (about 2 minutes) then plug the modem back in and then the router. After that you can turn on the computer, and it should recycle.
8. Remember that the problem could be on the other end, so have your ISP tech number in a convenient location.

Surge protection is a must in this area

1. Make sure that it is plugged in properly and that the outlet is grounded, a surge protector is only good for one direct hit from a power surge.
2. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is even better.
3. Also remember that heat and humidity can injure computers.

Antivirus is a must if you are on the Internet

1. Update it regularly (like every 2 weeks)
2. AVG is a free virus protection software is available at http://www.grisoft.com
3. Free - Ad-aware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and
   Spybot at http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
4. Update it regularly (like every 2 weeks) and run it regularly.

Monitors

1. Make sure it is turned on.
2. Check the electrical power plug.
3. Check the connection to the computer.
4. If it works, but does not get enough colors it is loading in VGA which means that there is a problem with the video driver.
5. Could be a problem with the video card, which will need to be replaced.

Printers

1. Make sure that they are plugged in correctly (power and computer).
2. May not work when out of ink or will print in strange colors or the black will be gray.
3. May not work if it has too much paper in it, and definitely without any paper.
4. May work if you turn it off and back on.
5. May need to clear the queue on the printer control panel.
6. If a printer is broken and not under warranty, do not attempt to get it repaired.

Hard drives

1. Do not fill your hard drive (Windows needs about 20 % of the HD for temp files).
2. Can use scandisk to check for file problems (shut down the antivirus program).
3. May benefit from defragging.
4. May need to have the operating system reloaded, a bootable recovery disk may be helpful and even necessary.
5. Back-up your data files or, even better, back-up your entire hard drive.
6. Several programs that will test hard drive and help restore your windows registry (Fix-it, Norton system utilities, McAfee, etc.).

CD and A: drive

1. May need to be cleaned.

Know your computer numbers

1. The first thing is to know the speed of your processor in MHz.
2. Know how much RAM you have.
3. Know how much free space you have on your hard drive.
4. Know what operating system you are using.
5. Know your computer serial number.

Learn the language of computers

1. You can get help on the phone, but you have to know the right language.
2. Keep all of your original software and the instruction sheets or boxes for your software and hardware, you may want phone numbers off of them later.
3. Keep a log of everything that you do to the computer.
4. Be prepared to wait.
5. Hope that you get to talk to someone who speaks the same language.

Software

1. Know where your restoration software is located.
2. If you call for support have the software in your hand as you may need some numbers off of it. May also need the date of purchase.
3. Keep track of the software and manuals that come with your computer.
4. When you buy a computer, you want to get hard copies of your software.
5. Make sure that any software that you add to you computer is compatible with your operating system.

Turning off the computer

1. Do a proper shutdown by closing all programs first and then telling windows to shut down.
2. If a program shuts down or locks up try Ctrl-Alt-Delete and only shut down the one program.
3. May be necessary to shut down the entire computer, wait 10 seconds and then reboot it.
4. Multiple Ctrl-Alt-Delete commands can shut down a computer.
5. May have to use the reset button on the computer.
6. If that does not work try the On-Off button, you may have to hold it in for 10 seconds.
7. Last resort can mean pulling the plug.

Reference items

1. TBCS Lab is open Tuesday and Thursday (10:00 to 1:00) and Wednesday and Friday (9:00 to Noon)
2. Friends and family
3. Books
4. Library
5. Internet use search engines
6. Phone technical assistance from Internet service provider or software and hardware manufacturers
7. Computer repair clinic at the Resource Center, Wednesday and Friday mornings (9:00 to Noon)
8. SIG - Computer Q&A, 1st Monday, 6:30-8:00 P.M.
9. Novice instruction before the General Meeting at Largo Cultural Center