Don't Give In to Your Computer Problems; Troubleshoot Yourself!

Like humans, computers have feelings too. Sometimes they decide to eat your disk and keep it, shut down for no reason, lock their keyboards or not boot up. In this day in age, just like people, we shouldn't just turn them away and send them into repair. Just how you wouldn't go straight to the doctor on the onset of a runny nose, you shouldn't panic and ship your computer out when it is experiencing problems. Yes, this analogy is going a little far, but it does make sense. When you have computer problems, try to troubleshoot yourself. For the most part (unless hardware is physically broken and needs to be replaced), your computer problems are not unique, and other people have experienced and solved them before. You shouldn't waste your money on computer repair services when you can most likely fix it yourself! Here are some tips to good troubleshooting.

-Google is your friend!

I've solved everyone of my computer problems myself. No, it is not because I am a computer whiz; it is because I know what to use to solve my problems. Google has really changed solving problems for all of us. Just type in your issue, such as "disk stuck in iMac" and you will get many, many responses. When you find a possible solution, make sure to check other user's comments. If there aren't any confirmed answers, move on. Don't waste your time with solutions that aren't confirmed fixes. Also, when sifting through results, big name sites may have the best solutions (not always, but usually the answer is there). If you have an Mac problem, check the Apple Support result in your Google search first. If it is a Dell, check Dell support, etc, etc. For the most part, Google will have the answer to your computer issues.

-Use others around you

If you have a friend or family member that is tech savvy and is good with computers, ask for their help. They probably won't charge you (although paying them for a job well done is very acceptable) and might be able to solve the problem while you can go about your life. Let them work with your computer and see if they can figure out your problems. This is a great alternative to sending it in for service. What's better than the service coming to you in the form of a good friend or family member?

-Don't Give Up and Don't Get Frustrated

I can't stress this enough. When you are troubleshooting yourself, you may become overwhelmed/frustrated and want to throw in the towel; DON'T! Yes, computer troubleshooting may be a daunting task, but being able to solve your own problems will only prevent them in the future! By doing it yourself, you will learn from your problems, learn more about your computer, and take pride in the fact that your fixed it yourself. If you keep researching and trying different things, you will find a fix. When you do, you can proudly say that you fixed it yourself. Don't give up!

If you have patience and do good research, your computer will be patched of any issues in no time. Use your head, try out different things, utilize Google as a research tool, ask for help from others and most of all, don't give up! Everyone has the ability to troubleshoot their computers, and so do you. Good luck and good troubleshooting!

Tags: computers, computing, help, support, tech, troubleshooting

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Comment by kpslover007 on December 27, 2008 at 6:48am: Thanks for sharing. I usually go to Google for tech troubleshooting. If that fails, then I call tech support. I know how much of a pain that is.

Comment by Jessiebt on December 26, 2008 at 6:52pm: What good advice....I have a very old computer and I've gone to different search places for help. Some helped wonderful...others didn't. That still didn't stop me from finding help (my son)...hes pretty good. I do still Need a new computer but I will Not be letting this old baby of mine go....He will be with me ...you do get attached to them....don't cha.........Great topic...thanks

Comment by SassySweetBren on December 25, 2008 at 8:14am: We never learn if we do not try. I always try to repair first Matt. If all fails, I have friends in high places....the Internet.

Google has been awesome for me to find drivers needed along with software programs to run test.

I don't run to the doctor with the first sign of a runny nose and I don't send my computer in for any reason. Mom's home remedies usually work just fine.

Thanks for the article. I enjoyed reading it.

Comment by Jude Jairus on December 25, 2008 at 7:59am: Wow... this is a really good write...

Comment by AD on December 24, 2008 at 12:22pm: Agreed, having a 2nd comp with the monitors side by side is great for troubleshooting/tweaking and Google is a great help, I've solved every problem I've ever had doing it like that. Not once in 8 years have I taken a machine in for a repair.

Comment by tommy on December 23, 2008 at 9:03pm: That's why i like to always have a backup computer.I to has fixed my own problems.And yes it can be frustrating.But keep researching and trying things until you get it.There's always many out there that's had the same problem you having and fix it.And they willing to share this knowledge.Not only is it the Geek thing to do,it's the right thing to do.And dont feel you has to have the newest PC on market.Yes it's fun to get new.But we all get to the same internet.For what you do online sometimes a old one may work just as well.I've helped many from my trials and errors.I was helping with XP,long before i even had XP.Learned by googling and reading.Take care and fun surfing.Happy Holidays.

Comment by randy_nacol2002 on December 23, 2008 at 8:05pm: Very Formative an article to help you think of what's your friend and what to do Thanks

Comment by Shubham on December 23, 2008 at 8:20am: Really good article man. It really amazes me how many new things you get to learn when trying to find answer to a single problem. Cheers.