Posted on May 2nd, 2010Don’t Rush In
When diagnosing a computer problem you are doing much like a doctor. The specifics can be different, but the strategies are mostly similar.
Say, for example, that your computer has just crashed. You’re working laboriously to meet the deadline, trying to finish the report in time, and you have forgotten to save your files for at least two hours. You are in a rush, so the best solution is to reboot, right? Wrong. It would be better to grab anything salvageable. Sit for a while and think calmly. In this particular situation, the best thing to do is to get a pen and write down everything on the screen, so you don’t have to start everything from scratch. Before rebooting, think about a good way to retrieve as much information as possible, most of which can be stored in the temporary files on your hard disk. Details, of course, may vary depending on your operating system and applications, but the method is always the same: you shouldn’t rush headlong into something uncertain, even if you have something that seems like a good idea. Stop and think carefully for a moment as it may make your situation even worse.
This rule applies on many levels. If you want to open the computer case to work with the hardware, for example, don’t just rush in as you have to do some preparations. Make sure you don’t make further damages to your hardware, for example from static electricity. When something doesn’t work, just stop and think. See if you can get answers online or in books. If you can’t find the solution, your best answer is to find an expert, discuss with him about your problems. Above all else, you shouldn’t rush in without enough planning and as taking unnecessary risks can make matters worse.
Don’t ignore the obvious
Just like a doctor, when diagnosing medical problems, you should pinpoint likely problems before attempting to fix them. Medical students are instructed that if they see a patient with a few symptoms, they must be checked against common diseases, rather than an exotic disease they just read in the latest medical journal. So, your first question during a PC troubleshooting should be, “Is the computer/hardware plugged in?”
That question won’t make you look like a simpleton as many computer problems can be solved by the simplest solution. Many experts forget to check for the simplest facts when starting the troubleshooting. There are a few highly competent reviewers from hardware web sites and magazines who are groused about a piece of faulty hardware, until they discovered with a good deal of embarrassment, that they didn’t plug in an important cable or power connector.
In real world, loose cables are common; the power connector for the graphic card fan can get jarred loose when you are installing the memory modules. Someone can be tripped over a data cable or power cord and dislodged it. If you have cats, dogs, or small kids running around, the more people (or pets) moving around near the computer, the odds of something bad to happen go way up.
The point is, if your system is relatively new, or it’s been working without a hitch for months and something goes wrong, you should first check for the obvious: Check the power light and switches. Examine the cables and fans? Are your adapter cards firmly seated in the slots? And so forth.
Remember that what is obvious in most situations, may not be obvious in others. If you leave your home for a long vacation and there was a thunderstorm and you don’t have a surge protector, your components can be zapped. In this case, just checking for cables won’t be enough; you may need to replace all damaged components.
Do everything you can
This is one of the best advices in troubleshooting: When faced with an unsolved problem, do everything you can, check the result and evaluate the problem again.
This is may be the best approach in troubleshooting if you are not sure with the solution. If all you can do is check the cables, the solution may be revealed when you find a loose cable. And if it can’t solve the problem immediately, it may give you a better idea about what you should do next. If not, you will know about what won’t work, before giving up and calling an expert.
Simplify your situation
The simpler the system, the fewer things that will fail and the easier it is to track down a problem. For example, you can close all apps that aren’t really necessary, which eliminates them from the equation. By removing as many hardware as possible (printer and DSL modem, for example), you can further simplify your problem. It is important to simplify the system during a troubleshooting, as the problem may be easier to identify and solve.
Suppose you are experiencing a printing problem. There should be five possible problem sources: The application you’re printing from, the computer hardware, the printer driver, the printer and the cable. To limit the scope of the problem, try to self-test the printer. If it works, the problem may lie somewhere between the software and the cable. If the self-test doesn’t work, you may have a faulty printer and you should check whether it has any toner or ink left.
Swap out The components
Swapping out components is an obvious method in troubleshooting. Suppose you have two printers. One works perfectly; the other doesn’t. The problem with the faulty printer could be bad data cable. Swap the cable and see if it works. If it still doesn’t work, swap the ink cartridge and so forth. In a few situations, a hardware can have two or more damaged components. In this case, swapping components won’t work as swapping only a damaged component won’t make your hardware works.