what is computer maintenance and troubleshooting

copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Doing regularcomputer maintenance can greatly extend the lifespan of the device and may keepyou saferwhile browsing online. We recommend starting by using the following tips. Use antivirus and antispyware software to ensure that whatever comes in over the internet wont mess up your computer. Computer maintenance; common problems that make your PC run slowly - eHorus 1. Operating-system files such as the Windows registry may require maintenance. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Go to Troubleshooting, and on the left panel click View all items. If you have a laptop,disassembly will be different than with a traditional computer. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. Click View all at the left side of the Troubleshooting pane and youll see a full list of available troubleshooters. Try moving closer to the router or resetting both the modem and router. Sometimes, just signing out of Windows and signing back in can fix the problem.\n

Rarely do you need to reinstall Windows. If the issue remains, a specialist might check other common causes, consult product documentation, and conduct research on a support database or through a search engine. Troubleshooting is a basic part of computer maintenance. 7 Expert Tips to Troubleshoot a Computer - Computer Troubleshooters Just like an automobile, your computer needs to be regularly maintained to run properly. Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more. 6 Tips & Techniques For Troubleshooting Maintenance | Fiix They imply that a setting change affects the entire system or could post a security risk.

Do run a firewall, and allow expected traffic to access the local network and internet. Keep it handy. It can only take one canof soda to destroy a device. A computer containing accumulated dust and debris may not run properly. A soft brush may remove loose dirt; the remainder is dislodged with compressed air and removed with a low-pressure vacuum. Things look good in both cases, so you know the issue has nothing to do with ink or paper. Recall the items youve changed recently and you can better pinpoint problems and devise solutions. You can add rubbingalcohol to the cloth for a deeper clean. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. Troubleshooters cant fix everything, but theyre a great place to start if you encounter a problem with your computer. Remember that sometimes a website can be down. Computer maintenance involves keeping a computer in a good state of repair and physical health. Select the troubleshooter you want to run and click Run Troubleshooter. Choose how you want to run the troubleshooter as a standard or admin user. What Is Windows Modules Installer Worker and Why Is It Running on My PC? The primary objectives of troubleshooting are to figure out why something doesn't work as intended and provide a solution to resolve the issue. Hardware troubleshooting is the process of reviewing, diagnosing and identifying operational or technical problems within a hardware device or equipment. You should alsoremove the battery altogether if you wont be using the device for a month ormore to help extend its shelf life. How to Diagnose a Computer Problem: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (and How to Get It Online), How to Fix When Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting on Windows 11. Try some magazines too, such as PC World. By comprehensively describing the issue, troubleshooters will know where to look for the root cause. Hardware troubleshooting is done by hardware or technical support technician. F1, F2, Del, Enter, other:______________________________________. It is, so that's not the issue. Troubleshooters must monitor the system to ensure the changes made don't adversely affect other parts of it or other systems connected to it. Cable clutter cancollect dust and become easily damaged. Do check regularly with the Windows Security Center window. This is just one example of an issue you might encounter while using a computer. To troubleshoot is solving a problem or determining a problem to an issue. It's important to try these simple solutions before resorting to more extreme measures. Every three to sixmonths you should do a thorough cleaning of your entire hardware system. If the middle component works, they know everything before it works. The best hardware upgrades are memory and storage, in that order. Avoid using caustic chemicals (ammonia, alcohol) to clean a touchscreen monitor. Next, you check to make sure the printer's ink cartridge still has ink and that there is paper loaded in the paper tray. Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. Dont open the PCs case unless you first turn off and unplug the thing. The success of the troubleshooting process often depends on the technicians' thoroughness and experience. Give your computer a bit of rest. Youll also need to use the Control Panel if youre usingWindows 10s Anniversary Updateor an earlier version of Windows 10. Disk defragmentation may be performed to combine these fragments and so improve performance. 13 chapters | Ensure that the consoles air vents are unobstructed and that the fan is on. To keep yourapplications running safely and efficiently you should check for major computerupdates at least once a month. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com.

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Dan Gookin wrote the very first For Dummies book in 1991. Recall the items youve changed recently and you can better pinpoint problems and devise solutions. The split-half process can save time in systems that depend on many components. Computer maintenance checklists can also serve as a guide to ensure that maintenance tasks are done accordingly to SOP. The first step in most troubleshooting methods is gathering information on the issue, such as an undesired behavior or a lack of expected functionality. Sometimes the solution to a problem creates another issue. Let's go over some tips and tricks for fixing a hardware problem: But what if you've got a software problem? Dont vacuum the inside of the computer. Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com. Important data stored on computers may be copied and archived securely so that, in the event of failure, the data and systems may be reconstructed. 2023 NortonLifeLock Inc. All rights reserved. Find out how. She has a Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The key to getting your internet up and running again . - Maintenance & Tools, Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis in Business Communication, Comparing Traditional Marketing to Digital Marketing & Advertising, What is COBOL Programming? By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Troubleshooters are built into the Control Panel on Windows 10, 8, and 7, so practically all Windows users can take advantage of them. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc. Computer Maintenance - Data Centre Cleaning Computer Basics: Basic Troubleshooting Techniques - GCFGlobal.org While experts used torecommend changing passwords every month, this frequency was causing new risksand inconveniences for users. While these programs may do everything they claim, the functions that they use to clean and speed up your computer are already built into your operating system. PDF The Complete Guide to Home Computer Maintenance - Techvera Did you know that thedisk isthe weakest linkwhen it comes to computerperformance? ","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Dive into this guide for your PC troubleshooting and maintenance needs. If you have kids at homeor have other people accessing your device, prevent software from beingdownloaded without your consent by setting up parental controls. If youre working off alaptop, it can be tempting to charge the battery all night. If you're having an issue with your computer, you may be able to find out what's wrong using the process of elimination. What is Hardware Troubleshooting? - Definition from Techopedia All rights reserved. Computer Hope has been at the forefront of tech troubleshooting for years. Keep this sheet near your computer for quick reference. Use Norton Antivirus or Malwarebytes software to avoid malwaresuspicious software, including ransomware and phishing schemes. Back up. Once the problem is understood, troubleshooters develop a plan to tackle the issue. It will also save you time and stressnext time you go to unplug your computer. Computer maintenance means keeping your computer in good condition through regular cleanings, hard drive updates, and virus prevention. A plastic-cleaning agent applied to the surface of the keys with a cloth is used to remove the accumulation of oil and dirt from repeated contact with a user's fingertips. What if you can't seem to close an application, or can't hear any sound from your speakers? I feel like its a lifeline. There isnt a troubleshooter for every issueyoull encounter, and the troubleshooters that do exist wontbe able to fix every problem. In this lesson, we'll show you some simple things to try when troubleshooting, as well as how to solve common problems you may encounter. Then turn on the modem, the gateway/router, any switches, and, finally, the PCs attached to the network. Cancel anytime. Ensure that the consoles air vents are unobstructed and that the fan is on. In the rest of this lesson, we'll talk about other common computer problems and some ways to solve them. Ping a site such as Google to see if the connection is good or if the host computer is unavailable. 2. [1] Other computer hardware and software troubleshooting. Computer Hope Forums. Also, if you have a friend or family member who knows a lot about computers, they may be able to help you. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Print this page and fill in the blanks. (DOC) Introduction to Computer Maintenance and Troubleshooting A+ Select Hardware and devices troubleshooter and follow . RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About the Blue Screen of Death. I highly recommend you use this site! Establishing what the problem is often means confirming what the problem isn't. This is one of the core principles of successful PC troubleshooting. The problem may be network-wide and not specific to your computer or local network. Internal components accumulate dust brought in by the airflow maintained by fans to keep the PC from overheating. If the system needs a new processor, its better just to buy a new PC.

Back up. Open your computer and make sure that all the cables, RAM chips, the video card, sound card, network card, and other components are all securely attached to the motherboard. They imply that a setting change affects the entire system or could post a security risk. Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting. Michelle has been an academic librarian for over twenty years. A computer maintenance checklist is a tool that IT professionals and managers can use to regularly and proactively check if computer hardware is in need of cleaning, repair, or replacement, and software is updated. Examples of places troubleshooters find themselves working include the following: One basic troubleshooting method is to press Control-Alt-Delete on a PC, which opens the Microsoft Windows Task Manager where users can determine which applications have become unresponsive, close them and restart the computer. Use System File Checker in Safe mode to repair damage to Windows. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. The goal is to return the system to the way it was before the problem occurred. The goal is to identify the problem and understand how to reproduce it. Before starting the troubleshooting process, what is one thing that you want to do? Whether it's to pass that big test, qualify for that big promotion or even master that cooking technique; people who rely on dummies, rely on it to learn the critical skills and relevant information necessary for success. Computer Maintenance Types and Learning - Mapcon Cloud storage providersallow you to store gigabytes of space without running down your hard drivememory. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. The problem may be network-wide and not specific to your computer or local network.

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One way to prevent trouble is to be a stickler for maintenance. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. You'll see a list of the most common troubleshooters you might need. Defragging is theprocess of reorganizing the data on your hard drive to speed up file access. Computer maintenancemeans keeping your computers and laptops in good condition through regularcleanings, hard drive updates, and virus prevention. Once troubleshooters have identified and understood the problem, they must adjust, repair or replace whatever is causing the issue. How to troubleshoot system maintenance in windows? Justclick Next to begin troubleshooting. An error occurred trying to load this video. She covers various topics in cybersecurity. This ensures other troubleshooters will know what to do if the problem happens again. How to Troubleshoot Computer Hardware Problems - MUO The troubleshooterwill launch after you click it. Computer maintenance is the practice of keeping computers in a good state of repair. These aren't the only available troubleshooters. It's critical to document both the solution and the fixes that didn't work to provide a comprehensive record of the incident. How To Become a Computer Repair Technician in 6 Steps Also, keep your firmware current. Run hardware troubleshooter. Let's see if we can fix it. 4. Press Windows + X, and select Control Panel. When all tests fail, go back to Step 3 and start over. Do pay attention to the User Account Controls (UACs) warnings. Select the type of troubleshooting you want to do, then select Run the troubleshooter. Sometimes the entire internet can be down. While powering down yourdevice every night isnt a requirement with new computers, rebooting regularlydoes help refresh your system resources. PCs For Dummies, now in its 12th edition, is the bestselling beginning PC book in the world. Youll find these tools in the Control Panel on Windows 7 and 8. Use a fix-it tool with Windows 10 - Microsoft Support Troubleshooting is an iterative, trial-and-error process that is repeated until the issue is fixed. When major maintenance such as patching is performed, a backup is recommended as the first step in case the update fails and reversion is required. Depending on our needs and our possibilities, you could leave computer maintenance to the experts. Q&A: Is it safer to do banking on my computer or phone. It's possible that other users have had similar problems, and solutions to these problems are often posted online. Youll be prompted with more information before the troubleshooter makes any changes to your system. To keep your antivirussoftware running properly, youll want to do signature updates in addition tosoftware updates. 4. - Elements, Design & Advantages. Remember that computers are especially prone to dust andoverheating, so these steps can help reduce risk and keep your computer runningoptimally. Firmware is embedded software that lives on hardware devices. Troubleshooting is a systematic process used to locate the cause of a fault in a computer system and correct the relevant hardware and software issues. What are the conditions when the problem occurs? It is, so that's not the issue. Troubleshooting guides might also be available. Gain professional experience. Maintaining security involves vulnerability management and installation and proper operation of antivirus software like Kaspersky, Avast Antivirus, McAfee and Many are available. This can be information about why something unexpected is happening or a missing capability. What is Troubleshooting? - Definition from Techopedia 3. 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If something isnt working properly on your PC, the associated troubleshooter may find and fix the problem for you. Best Practices for Computer Security; Corrective Maintenance. This will clean outtemporary files and extra language files as well as delete big attachments andmore. If the problem still isn't fixed, you can try other troubleshooting techniques. Basic Microsoft Windows 2000 troubleshooting. Define troubleshooting as it refers to computer repair. If you're experiencing issues, try rebooting, resetting the modem or router, unplugging peripheral devices (external tools), checking memory, and checking the printer (for print issues). Approaching problem solving using a logical and methodical approach is essential to successful resolution. In the US, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act specifically exempts computer-maintenance activities, so copies of copyright files may be made in the course of maintenance provided that they are destroyed afterwards.[2]. Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide Most computers come in for servicing have various problems. Keep reading for 25 tips to help protectyour devices orjump to our checklist. Click View All in the sidebarto view a full list of troubleshooters. While most troubleshooters run automatically, some troubleshooters will give you options you need to click. Torun a troubleshooter: SelectStart > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot,or select the Find troubleshootersshortcut at the end of this topic. As of the Creators Update, the following troubleshooters are available here: Blue Screen, Bluetooth, Hardware and Devices, HomeGroup, Incoming Connections, Internet Connections, Keyboard, Network Adapter, Printer, Playing Audio, Power, Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, Recording Audio, Search and Indexing, Shared Folders, Speech, Video Playback, Windows Store Apps, and Windows Update. Use System File Checker in Safe mode to repair damage to Windows. Troubleshooting is the process of identifying and solving technical problems. Whenever you have a problem with your computer, don't panic! PC Maintenance This section includes information about tasks you can perform to help ensure the trouble-free operation of your PC, and to ease the recovery of important information on your PC should problems arise in the future. Change causes trouble. Follow us for all the latest news, tips and updates. Ping is available at the command prompt on the startup menu. What is computer maintenance? 7. Stacks of paper and other items being placed on your computer can also make it overheat, so keepyour desk area organized and free of clutter. Then hold down the power button for 30 seconds while the computer remains unplugged. This troubleshooting technique only applies to internet-related problemsone very specific category of issue. Ensure that antivirus and malware protection is always working. As customer All Rights Reserved, They test their hypothesis and keep testing it until they identify a solution. When carrying out computer maintenance tasks, the aim is to reduce the amount of problems. Basic software troubleshooting What is software? If a weird email shows up in your inbox or an unexpected popupwhile browsing, resist the urge to open it. Computer maintenance means all those activities that run on a computer (both its software and hardware) in order to ensure that its operation is optimal. Most internet connection woes are fixed by restarting the modem. Copyright 1999 - 2023, TechTarget Disk cleanup may be performed as regular maintenance to remove these. Click "View All" in the sidebar to view a full list of troubleshooters. If you see a message that no changes or updates were necessary, you can tryrecovery options, or find out more about Outlook error codes andupgrade and installation error codes. 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