Troubleshooting Problems

When you run into a problem that doesn't have an obvious solution, the best course of action is inaction-that is, don't do anything. If you're fidgeting to do something, take a walk or grab a snack. Doing the wrong thing can often make the problem worse. After you've calmed down a little, come back and work through this list:

• Are there any onscreen messages? Look at the monitor for any messages that indicate a problem.
• Is everything plugged in and turned on? Turn off everything and check the connections. Don't assume that just because something looks connected, it is. Wiggle all the plugs.
• When did the problem start? Did you install a new program? Did you enter a command? Did you add a new device?
• Is the problem limited to one program? If you have the same problem in every program, the problem is probably caused by your PC or Windows. If the problem occurs in only one program, focus on that program.
• When did you have the file last? If you lost a file, it probably didn't get sucked into a black hole. It's probably somewhere on your disk, in a separate folder.
• Realize that it's probably not the PC, and it's probably not a virus. The problem is usually in the software-Windows or one of your programs. Of the problems that people blame on PC viruses or the PC itself, 95 percent are actually bugs in the software or problems with specific device drivers (the instructions that tell your PC and Windows how to use the device). Only about 5 percent prove to be caused by viruses.

Tip:
Keep a running log of the changes you make to your system. Every time you install a new device or new software, install updates, or change settings, jot down the date and what you did. It takes a little extra time, but it enables you to retrace your steps later. You may also want to check out a free tool called Belarc Advisor (belarc.com/free_download.html), which creates a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware and displays the results in your web browser. It's a good idea to print an update every quarter.