Beyond the “Blue Screen of Death”-10 Computer Problems Your Technician Sees Most
An important deadline approaches at work. You arrive at the office, full of expectation and determination-only to turn on your laptop and seethe dreaded bluescreen of death.
In a world that relies on technology, no one has time for computer problems. Unfortunately, technology isn’t perfect, so problems can occur at any time. And if you’re not comfortable solving computer problems yourself, you may feel helpless about the situation.
Most companies pay an IT technician to resolve technological issues. But if your company is small or you work at home, you may need to call out for help. Do you know the source of the problem, or can you only say “my computer’s messed up. Please fix it”?
Before you call your computer tech, try to specify your problem a little further.
Hardware Problems
- Slow computer – When your computer slows down, it does so for several reasons. You might have too many programs running on your hard drive. Your hard drive might contain corrupted registries, data fragmentation, and/or spyware. If you don’t maintain your computer often, expect slower operation.
- Dead computer – Of course, if your computer won’t turn on to begin with, you may have no idea what to do next. Before you know the real issue, check your monitor. If it turns on, then your old PC tower may be the problem. Still, check the obvious stuff. Is the battery dead in your mouse? Is the computer plugged into the wall and the laptop outlet? Check the keyboard, too. You might even plug the CPU into a different outlet. If nothing works, it’s a hardware issue.
- Other failures – If your computer turns on but doesn’t allow you to go any further, you might have faulty components. If you hear steady beeps, your computer voltage may be off. Other beeps may signal anything from power problems to a failed video card or RAM stick. If the computer turns off for no reason or reboots in the middle of a task, you may have a dirty fan or a power problem.
- Odd noises – If you hear squealing noises from your computer, suspect problems with your electrical system. Sometimes the noise comes from a loose wire, but sometimes the sound indicates something more serious. If you hear a loud fan, you probably need a new one.
Operating System Problems
Most computer users still operate on a Windows-based system (these tend to cost less to purchase than Apple systems). If you run Windows on your computer, watch for operating system errors.
- Bluescreen of death – If you see the dreaded blue window on your monitor, you likely have a corrupt driver or other Windows-based problems. In some cases, you may have spyware on your computer. The screen itself lists the common errors, even if you don’t know how to interpret them.
- Error messages – Even if the bluescreen of death doesn’t appear, your computer may still have common operating system problems. Watch for messages that reference denied access, invalid procedure call, disallowed connects, stack overflow, invalid port handle connections, or inexistent device types. If a complete system reboot doesn’t solve the problem, you’ll need technical help.
- System update bugs – If you’ve allowed regular system updates/downloads, watch carefully to see how your computer responds. If you suddenly lose access to your sound driver or the Internet, you’ll need technical assistance to solve the problem.
Malware and Spyware Problems
Sadly, no computer can fully resist hacking. Even the best anti-virus software may miss a new hack. Watch for the following problems that indicate spyware or other malware on your computer.
- New default domain – If you notice a new home page on your computer, you may have inadvertently installed malware via another product download. This spyware changes your user settings. Some computer viruses do the same thing. Ask your technician for advice.
- Internet pop-ups – Spyware can also make random pop-ups appear on a regular basis. If you’ve downloaded music programs or other software of dubious manufacture, it’s likely that spyware came along with your download.
- Unknown security postings – When unknown antivirus companies leave alarming messages on your computer, blame malware. Beware of registering on these fraudulent companies’ websites! You may see a promise for an instant fix for your supposed problem; however, you’ll probably just get more malware. Keep your current anti-malware software up to date at all times.
Remember, computer problems show up in various ways. If you don’t see your problem listed above, feel free to do a quick online inquiry. Then, once you speak to your computer repair technician, you’ll find it easier to communicate your concerns.
Even if you’re wrong about the problem, your technician will still know a good place to start troubleshooting.
Don’t worry if you can’t fully explain the issue. By learning more about common computer troubles, you’re already ahead of the game. Now the repair is in your technician’s hands.
