Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies. Dan Gookin

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СКАЧАТЬ keyboard is acting funky, attach another keyboard and see whether the problem persists. If not, the original keyboard is defective. Replace it.

      The only time hardware swapping doesn’t work is with a laptop. Because the laptop’s hardware is integrated, you can’t readily swap out a keyboard or replace a power supply. That’s why I recommend a full warranty on a laptop, just in case the parts go bad.

      ❯❯ Yes, you can replace any hardware on a PC, though at some point you must consider when to just get a new computer. See the next section.

      ❯❯ Even the hard drive can be replaced, though always ensure that you have a fresh backup handy and that you’ve created a System Recovery disk.

      ❯❯ Backup is covered in Book 4, Chapter 3.

      ❯❯ Creating a System Recovery disk is covered in Book 3, Chapter 1.

      WHAT’S THE FIRMWARE?

      The term firmware applies to an array of chips on the PC’s motherboard. These chips provide basic technology for the PC. In a way, the firmware is the PC’s personality, giving it features such as graphics, sound, networking, and basic input/output functions.

      Because the firmware chips are integrated with the motherboard, you can’t readily replace them. Further, the firmware controls so many aspects of the PC’s basic hardware that a firmware bug would be near impossible to catch.

      Some motherboard manufacturers sell diagnostic tools that let you check the firmware’s status. Even then, if the firmware is suspect, you must choose between replacing the entire motherboard or buying a new PC. Neither option is inexpensive.

      When to Give Up

      You’ve tried your best. You’ve written poems. You’ve showered her with gifts. The local florist beams whenever you walk in the door. Yet she refuses your overtures of affection. At some point, you must give up and realize that Marie Lee will never date you. Time to move on.

      Yes, the same philosophy that applies to a teenage boy’s dating strategy also applies to technology troubleshooting.

      On the upside, I believe that you’ll find your computer is far more attentive to your affections than your tenth-grade crush. The computer wants to be liked. So, before you toss in the towel, consider some quick fixes, such as restarting the PC or using the System Restore utility.

      If your tool chest of quick fixes doesn’t work, turn to the Internet to pose questions and search for solutions. You might not be the only one who’s ever had the same problem.

      Computer repair places still exist in the real world. No, they’re not cheap, but often they’ll fix your problem faster and with less frustration than you’d experience working on your own.

      And yes, this book offers plenty of suggestions and tips for fixing the most common PC problems, as well as advice on how to deal with just about any computer ailment.

      Finally, at some point you must accept that you’ll get a new computer. The typical PC has a lifespan of anywhere from 4 to 6 years, and more if you treat it well. After that time, however, and given the advances in technology, buying a new computer is a worthy investment.

      ❯❯ Refer to Chapter 2 for additional help on how to fix common PC problems.

      ❯❯ Also see Book 5, which presents techniques for breathing new life into an older PC.

Chapter 2

      Quick Fixes

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      ❯❯ Restarting the computer

      ❯❯ Using a troubleshooting wizard

      ❯❯ Fixing broken programs

      ❯❯ Addressing Windows glitches

      ❯❯ Finding support on the web

      ❯❯ Checking online forums

      ❯❯ Working with tech support

      ❯❯ Playing safe with remote access

      Everyone knows some quick fixes, and most folks are eager to share them. These are home remedies for everything from stopping the hiccups to cleaning grout in the shower. Such solutions also exist for solving technology issues. That’s because not everything needs to be difficult. And while the expert advice and specifics that you can find throughout this book are valued, sometimes a good ol’ homespun trick fixes the problem.

      Things to Try First

      The very first thing you should do when something unexpected happens on your computer is to open both eyes and drop your mouth a bit. That’s right: Look surprised. After years of using a computer, I’ve mastered this expression.

      After the initial shock, consider a few quick fixes. In fact, add the items in this section to your list of ready-cures to remedy any digital distress.

Restarting the PC

      The old standby solution is to turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, and then turn it on again. This trick also applies to any technology, from cell phones to smart TVs to nuclear power plants.

      

A faster way to implement this solution is to sign out of Windows instead of restarting the PC. Signing out shuts down all running programs, which may solve the issue. Follow these steps in Windows 10:

      1. If you’re able, close all open programs and windows.

      The purpose of this step is to ensure that you don’t have any unsaved data lingering. If you do, the sign-out (or shutdown) process is interrupted.

      2. Tap the Windows key to summon the Start menu.

      3. Click your Account icon on the left side of the menu.

Use Figure 2-1 as your guide.

      4. Choose Sign Out.

      Windows signs you out.

      5. If any stubborn programs remain open, click the Sign Out Anyway button.

      It’s okay to force-close the stubborn programs because, after all, that’s the point of signing out or, if this process fails, restarting the PC.

      Eventually, the Windows 10 splash screen appears.

      6. Sign in to Windows.

      After you sign in again, check to ensure that the problem is gone.

       FIGURE 2-1: Locating your Account icon.

      If the problem persists, you must restart the PC as the next possible solution: From the Start menu, click the Power СКАЧАТЬ