Very Common PC Problems And Their Solutions

Current Status - Always adding more to the list as allowed. Last Update: 9/8/07, 19:24 Basil Time.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

This guide was written with the assumption that most of you use desktops. If you use a laptop, skip every step that says "Open up the case" or anything like that. HOWEVER, if the solution is related to RAM, just open up the slot that contains your RAM.

Basic instructions for using the guide.

- Each possible solution for any problem starts with a ? . When you reach the next ? test out whether the last solution fixed your problem.

- Before going on with each Reformat solution, post in the Tech Support thread and see what everyone else there has to say.

Table of Contents

Use Ctrl+F to find the section, or Command+F for Mac users. These problems have been sorted from what I find most common to least common. I'll add more if you guys request anything.

- My computer is freaking slow. - My computer keeps showing the Blue Screen of Death. - My computer won't turn on. - My computer turns on, but there is nothing showing up on my monitor. - Pop-ups appear while the computer is running. - No sound is coming out from my computer. - Boot-up takes a long time. More to be added later

My computer is freaking slow.

? Your system might be too old / is not powerful enough for the OS. Firstly, look at your system specs - they play a huge part in performance. Here's a list on what's necessary for minimum lag for the listed common OS's, estimated as so from my tests and from what other people said.

Vista: Preferably a single or dual core running at a speed at 1.83 GHz or more, 1 GB of RAM, 100 GB hard drive, 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. (If you have integrated graphics, get 1.5 GB of RAM or more to dedicate system RAM to the graphics and the rest for programs.)

XP: Single or dual core running at 1.2 GHz or more, 512 MB of RAM, 80 GB hard drive, 64 MB of dedicated graphics memory. (If you have integrated graphics, you'll need around 768 MB or more of RAM to dedicate system RAM to the graphics and the rest for programs.)

If your computer doesn't achieve these stats it's highly likely your PC will be suspect to more lag, so if you can, fix it up, or downgrade to an older OS.

? Run Disk Defragmenter. Go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. In Vista, search for "Defrag" or anything like that. Then analyze the startup disk (C drive) and if the analysis says to defrag, defrag. If not, then don't and move on to the next solution.

? Disable startup entries or any running programs that might be draining RAM. Download a trusty startup manager for your computer - you can use the built-in one if you like, but it's much more complicated and hard to understand, and you can accidentally disable something important. Anyways, check around places like tucows or cnet's Download.com. I know for a fact that TuneUp Utilities has a startup manager but the program isn't free.

? Delete some programs. Low hard disk space can slow down a computer badly. Delete programs and files you don't need until you have at least 15% hard drive space remaining. If you have lots of hard disk space, then move on to the other solutions.

? Scan for spyware/viruses. Those usually cause the OS and programs to slow down. Quarantine anything you find, and tracking cookies are alright to delete.

? Run a disk check. Go to Start, then Run, and type down Chkdsk. Check all boxes that appear and when it prompts to reboot, click Yes. Then wait for the check to finish.

? Send it to your manufacturer and have them check it out. (For those who bought their own PC's only) If your computer is still under warranty then call up the PC manufacturer and have them check it out. If they send it back and say there's nothing wrong...

? Replace the hard drive/RAM sticks. (For those who built their own PC's only. You're gonna have to invest a crapload for this. You might have corrupt RAM/hard drive, and that's probably why it's so slow. Otherwise...

? Use a Windows Recovery Disk - free with most computers you buy. Just follow the directions in that disk. If you don't have one / lost one / built your own computer...

? Post the problem in the Tech Support thread and don't forget to note that you've already followed the solutions in this guide.

? Reformat. Back up all necessary files like passwords and whatnot, then get a Windows Installation disk and your CD key and reformat. For more info on reformatting, check this for more info. If it's still slow...

? Corrupt installation CD - get another one. The CD you used might have lost a few files, and that's why Borrow from a friend, neighbor, family, or you'll have to buy another one, and trust me, those prices are high for most of us, who are teens. Then try reformatting. If it's STILL slow...

? Get a new computer. Your computer was crap. Or it was too old. It's time you upgraded to a newer one.

My computer keeps showing the Blue Screen of Death.

? Your system might be too old / is not powerful enough for the OS. Check the first problem for more information.

? Free up hard disk space. Delete programs you don't need and old files you don't need. Low disk space can cause more crashes due to a shortage of space for virtual memory and other vital Windows files.

? Run Disk Defragmenter. Analyze the C drive first, and if you don't need to defrag, then skip over to the next step. If you do need to defrag, then simply defrag.

? Check what the BSOD says. If the problem looks like a

? Check the RAM sticks. RAM is one of the most common causes for blue screens. Open up your computer case and check if the RAM sticks are inserted correctly. They should be fitted in perfectly and the clips should be locked in place. Otherwise, try reconnecting them. For most motherboards, push down the clips and the modules will pop up. Then push down the sticks into their appropriate slots, and the clips should clip in place.

? Post the problem in the Tech Support thread and don't forget to note that you've already followed the solutions in this guide. I believe Mindstormer is good at analyzing BSOD's as well.

? Use recovery CD/reformat.

My computer won't turn on.

? Can you hear sounds and/or do lights turn on? If they do, go to the next problem. If not, continue to the next step.

? Check the power cables. First, check to see that all cables are connected well, especially the video and the power cords. Try reconnecting them too.

? Check to see if any power fuses in your home are broken or if the plug is powered. Fuses control most of the power in a typical home. Make sure they're not broken before proceeding. If they're fine, then check that all the power swtiches in the room your computer is connected in are on. Some switches control plugs as well in some homes. If you're connected to a surge protector (those long devices where they have more plugs you can plug into) check whether the switch is set to the ON setting, or if any lights on it appear. Otherwise, move on.

? Check the power supply. Try to see whether the power supply fan starts to spin. If not, you most likely have a power supply problem. Try to replace it. If it still doesn't work, go on.

? You burnt out your BIOS, you enthusiastic overclocking freak. Reset it. The BIOS might not be working - most likely a cause of overclocking instability. Rub your hands over metal to discharge any static so you don't kill your hardware, unplug all external cables, and open up your PC case. Look for the CMOS battery, which is a small, circular, and silver battery near the CMOS jumpers. It?s best that you look over a motherboard manual to find the CMOS jumpers. There are 2 methods to resetting - set the jumpers to another position for 30 seconds, or taking out the battery. Be careful around the jumpers, since they?re easy to lose, and if you lose them, you?re screwed. For example, on my motherboard, the jumpers are set on 1-2, and there are pins in the order of 1-2-3. Remember that the position of your jumper now is the default. Place the jumper into the order of 2-3, wait 30 seconds, and move it back to 1-2. If jumpers aren?t avaliable, refer to the CMOS battery. Unplug it for approximately 5 minutes, than plug it back in. Then set up the default settings, such as dates and stuff.

? Send it to the PC manufacturer.

? A tiny plug that connects the motherboard to the power switch is loose. (ADVANCED USERS + COMPUTER BUILDERS ONLY.) If there is no small plug loose, move on to the next step. Open up the case and try to find a tiny plug where the power switch is near that spells out "Power Switch" or "Power" or anything like that. Ignore "POWER LED" or anything that indicates light. Then on the motherboard, try to find some text next to the pins that say "POWER" or "POWER SWITCH" then plug it in. Then try again. If there isn't any text, test out each pin. If nothing works, move on.

? Post the problem in the Tech Support thread and don't forget to note that you've already followed the solutions in this guide.

? Replace the computer.

[header]My computer turns on, but there is nothing showing up on my monitor.

? Check all video and power cables and reconnect them.

? Test out the monitor with another computer. If another computer is available near you, test it out with the monitor. If nothing shows up there too, replace the monitor. Be sure you know how to dispose of monitors, as you could be charged with a federal fine in some cases if you dispose of a monitor the wrong way.

? Check if the video card is plugged in correctly. Open up the case. If you see that it's oddly slanted a bit, then unscrew the screw that holds it down, then reconnect the card.

? Reset the BIOS. Check the above problem for more information.

? Post the problem in the Tech Support thread and don't forget to note that you've already followed the solutions in this guide.

? Send it to your PC manufacturer.

? Replace the computer.

Pop-ups appear while the computer is running.

? Adware infestation. Boot up in Safe Mode, then run a spyware scan and delete all spyware entries that pop up. I've heard that Hitman Pro is a good free program that can detect most spyware with the fact that it has many different antispyware database files in it.

No sound is coming out from my computer.

? Check all cables and reconnect if necessary. Make sure the audio cable is connected to Headphone.

? Check the power of your speakers and make sure it's on.

? Check the volume in Windows, or of the program you're using. Unmute everything except Microphone, and drag everything else up.

? Test out the speakers with another device. Plug it into your iPod, TV, whatever you have. If there's no sound, replace the speakers.

? Check if the audio card driver is even installed. Go to Control Panel, then Sounds and Audio Devices, and if the model of your audio card pops up, the driver is installed. If nothing appears, download and install the driver.

? Enable the Windows Audio service. Go to Control Panel, click Classic View, then go to Administrative Tools, then Services. Look for a Windows Audio service, then enable it. If it asks that all other services related to it should be enabled, enable those too, then re-enable Windows Audio.

? Test out the audio card. Plug it into another computer, install its drivers, and test it out.

? Post the problem in the Tech Support thread and don't forget to note that you've already followed the solutions in this guide.

? Replace the audio card.

Boot-up takes a long time.

? Determine whether this is abnormally long. If it takes 30 seconds to 3 minutes or so, it's just the fact that you're loading up loads of drivers. Keep reading on for just a few more tips. If it's long as in 30 minutes to hours, then it's a sign that the boot file might be corrupt. All I can suggest is: - System Restore - Repair installation - Reformat.

? If it's not abnormally long: I'd recommend you try disabling startup entries.

? Run a program like BootVis. You can find tutorials on how to use it online.

Credits go to Lilxkid24 and Darklord on this