Boot Up Problems

Depending on their cause, computer boot up problems range from mild to severe. Read this article to learn about some common boot up problems in Windows XP and Vista, along with their solutions.

As soon as you switch on the power supply to your computer, the computer's BIOS starts and along with it the CMOS program also begins. The CMOS program starts checking all hardware devices in the computer, like the processor and memory. After doing this, it moves on to checking various other drives like CD ROM, DVD ROM, hard drive, USB drive, and the floppy drive as well. Once all this is checked, it moves on to checking various files, cards, and any other devices installed on the computer. The BIOS then looks out for any floppy present in the floppy drive for it to boot from. In the absence of one, it boots from the hard drive and then loads the windows registry. Any hindrance in the above process can be a cause of the problems faced when booting up.

Booting Up Errors in Windows XP and Vista

Computer Reboots When Shutdown Command is Given

If you give the shut down command and your computer restarts instead, it means that there is something causing a system failure during the shutdown process. To stop this, you will have to click on the 'Start' button and click on 'Run'. In 'Run", type 'sysdm.cpl' and hit 'Enter'. In the window that appears, you will have to click on the Advanced Tab → Settings → Start up and Recovery. Go to the 'Automatically Restart' option and uncheck the box next to it.

You will notice that your windows has stopped rebooting, but the system failure problem still persists. However, the error message window displayed when your computer starts, will give you the cause of the problem. At times, this problem could also be due to a hardware error. It is therefore advisable to call a qualified computer repair personnel to solve this problem.

Computer Freezes at Windows Boot Up Screen

If your computer screen freezes before windows is loaded from the hard drive, there is a hardware problem. To figure this out, try booting your computer from a USB flash drive or a CD/DVD. If your computer boots from any other drive apart from the hard drive, a fault in that particular drive could interfere with the booting, even after you have emptied the drive. You will have to figure out which drive is causing the problem by changing the boot order from your BIOS settings. When your computer starts, you might get a message saying 'Press F2 for Setup' and look for 'Boot Order' or 'Boot Options'. In the boot order, keep your first option as "Hard Drive', and exit. If this stops your problem, you can try putting different devices in the first option and figure out which drive is faulty.

If the problem still continues, there is a serious hardware problem. Unplug all your motherboard connections and carefully connect them back properly once again, and see if it works. Your last option should be to call for an authorized computer repair agent who would help you fix this boot up problem.

Windows Needs a Password to Boot
Windows is programmed to ask for a password before starting, only to protect your computer from eing used by somebody else, without your consent. However, if you have trustworthy people around, and don't mind them using your desktop computer, you can easily remove this option. To turn off the password characteristic, you should first click on the 'Start' button and then on 'Run'. In 'Run' type the command - 'controluserpasswords2', and hit 'Enter'. In the window which appears, you will find an option 'users must enter a username and password to use this computer. Uncheck the box next to this and click 'OK'. Once you do this, a dialog box will appear on screen, wherein you need to type your username and password for the last time. After this, your computer will boot automatically without asking you for any password.

Troubleshooting certain computer startup problems may require help from qualified technicians. This is required when problems are due to certain technical issues which are beyond the comprehension of common people lacking specific knowledge. Regularly updating and maintaining your computer is enough to keep most problems at bay.

 

Thanks to Suketu Mehta

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/boot-up-problems.html

High CPU Usage Problem

The CPU usage rate on your computer determines the speed at which your machine operates. The problem of high CPU usage may be faced from time to time, and this means that some parameter of your machine is causing it to be very slow.

If you are experiencing such difficulties on your computer, then the decreased speed of your machine can lead to a lot of confusion. This is something that happens quite frequently, and there are a variety of reasons that may lead to abnormally high CPU usage rates.

The first thing you need to know is how to check this rate on your machine. You can do so by pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + Esc', or by pressing 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete', and then clicking the 'Task Manager' option. In the subsequent window that opens, you need to click on the 'Processes' tab. This will show you the rate of CPU usage of all the applications that are currently running on the computer. You can also double click on the 'CPU' option, and you will see all the applications in ascending or descending order of the usage rate.

A high usage problem will be evident from this window, and you will need to fix this immediately. If you fail to do so, your machine will continue to run at an excruciatingly slow pace. Also note that this technique is useful only for people using Microsoft Windows.

Causes and Preventive Measures

 

There are a load of viruses and malicious software that can harm and affect your computer by different ways. One of the most common effects of these programs, is to gain control of your CPU usage, and involve it in a completely meaningless task. Note that high usage with no programs running is a clear indicator that your machine has been breached by a harmful program.

In order to solve this difficulty, you must purchase an effective antivirus software, and upgrade it from its official website on a regular basis.

Another cause is a faulty program, or some sort of a damaged file. Though, it is impossible to check the legibility of each and every file on your machine, there is a way you can get to the bottom of this problem. Go to the 'Start' menu, click on 'Run', type 'msconfig' in the opened box, and hit Enter. Now click the 'Startup' tab and check all the items that have been ticked. If you see anything suspicious, uncheck it. Reboot your machine after each item you uncheck, and then note the CPU usage each time. This should help you to pinpoint the program responsible for the high usage. This is one of the many ways to make your computer faster than its normal speed.

When you are checking the CPU usage for your programs, you will see an option known as 'System Idle Process'. The usage rate for this will always be very high, and in such cases there is no need to be alarmed.

Sometimes when you are running some heavy applications on your computer, the usage will shoot up considerably. This is not something that you need to be concerned with. Check the usage when there are no programs running, in order to get a true picture about any malicious software's presence. If your heavy program is not responding at all, then you can choose to end it from the Task Manager window, and this will solve the above difficulty.

Also, make sure that you are running your Windows updates on a regular basis, and also updating your antivirus software at least once a week. They are absolutely essential for your machines well-being, and the regularity with which you take care of them will determine the computer performance levels.

If everything you try fails, just take your machine to a computer repair shop, and tell them the problem that you are facing. A trained and experienced professional will be able to solve such difficulties in a short time.

 

 

Thank to Rahul Thadani 

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/high-cpu-usage-problem.html

Basic Tips for Computer Maintenance

Computer maintenance is usually overlooked by many people and they end up paying for the subsequent repair work. This article includes some useful tips, which you can follow to maintain your computer in the perfect condition.

It is quite surprising to see how many mistakes we make while maintaining our computers, and that too considering the fact that we cannot do much work-wise without them. Computer maintenance is something we can easily take care of ourselves, but we do not take half the care we should and that's the reason why we end up spending hundreds of dollars on calling professionals to check our PCs each year. This is the money we could very well have saved.

This article enlists ten vital maintenance tips that you must follow. This will increase the life of your hard disk and even make the computer prove more efficient to you. (The tips given below are for Windows operating systems.)

Tip # 1 - When to Restart and When to Reset

Most people think that restarting and resetting means one and the same thing, but they don't! Restarting is the process when the machine is made to shut down (normally) and then made to start again after the common rebooting process that it undergoes. Restarting can be done through several internal features of the operating system, including the shut down option in the menu. However, resetting is different. This is done by pressing a button present on the CPU. When you reset a machine, you are shutting it down forcefully and then starting it again. When resetting is done, the machine is not allowed to shut down in the normal way, but restarting allows that to happen.

Resetting must be done only when nothing else seems to work. For example, if the display has frozen, or if the computer 'hangs', and even Ctrl-Alt-Del does not work, then resetting can be done. For simple requirements like reconfiguring the system after installing new software, you must only go for restarting.

Tip # 2 - Shutting Down the Computer

The computer must never be shut down by any other method except through the shut down option provided. Never must it be shut down by powering it off directly from the AC mains. This will cause irreparable damage to the hard disk.

Tip # 3 - Clean Out Your Computer Occasionally

It doesn't take much time to run a disk scan and a defragmenter on your computer. When you defragment your disk, you are freeing up all wasted space on your machine and that certainly increases its efficiency. Scanning shows you all the bad and corrupt files located on your machine.

Tip # 4 - Keep the Startup Simple

If your computer takes a very long time to start up, it probably has a lot of start up programs running. Let the machine start completely, then from the start up programs menu, delete those which you don't need to load at start up. These programs will only slow down your computer drastically.

Tip # 5 - Install an Antivirus

Anyone knowing an iota of computers will tell you how important an antivirus is, if you are using the Internet. Remember to run the antivirus scan regularly. You can even set it up to conduct a scan automatically.

Tip # 6 - Install Firewalls

You can say that firewalls are better than antivirus programs at protection. While antivirus programs are the cure, firewalls can be considered as the prevention. When you set up a firewall, you are restricting all kinds of unauthorized accesses to your computer. You must do this as soon as you get your Internet connection, and then keep the firewall definitions updated.

Tip # 7 - Install Antispyware Programs

Spyware is a term used to describe several unauthorized applications that get installed on your computer when you browse the Internet, and then they make a connection between your machine and the host server. These programs can relay private information from your machine to the host server. Spyware is a chief element of identity theft in today's times. Fortunately, there are several good antispyware programs that you can install to protect your computer from such threats.

Tip # 8 - Keep Adequate Disk Space

Never fill your hard disk to full capacity. This will force your computer to run slow and can even cause damage to the disk. Keep at least 100 MB of free space. However, the hard disks available today have humongous capacities, so this problem will probably never arise.

Tip # 9 - Use Peripheral Devices Carefully

For all peripheral devices, you must exercise care when making direct connections to your PC. Especially when you are removing them, don't just yank them out. Turn off the device through the corresponding software first, and remove them only when they say it's safe to remove the device.

Tip # 10 - Clean Out the Temp Files
Temp files are created when you are working on any application on your computer. These are not user-readable files, but they are records for the computer to use the applications easily, next time. A similar analogy is found in cached files when using the Internet. These files can accumulate to a large extent and can clog the machine, forcing it to run very slow. You must regularly visit the temp or cache folder and clean out these files.

 

 

Thank to Neil Valentine D'Silva 

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-maintenance.html

Reasons Why Computer Freezes When Playing Games

If your computer freezes over, when playing games, it can be an extremely annoying experience. In this article, I shall identify the prime causes of computer freezing problems and provide guidelines on how you can effectively fix them.

I have been there. Right in the heat of the moment, when you are about to blow of a terrorist's head in a closely fought game of Counterstrike, the computer freezes and you lose the shot! While controlling the uncontrollable outburst of expletives, you watch your CT team taking a beating. In such cases, if computer freezes while playing games, you need to immediately identify the source of the problem and take care of it, to prevent further freezing episodes. I am going to help you figure out the problems that could cause your computer to freeze while playing computer games in this Buzzle article.

Why Does Your Computer Freeze During Game Play?

Every single computer problem can be traced to two prime sources, which include hardware and software related issues. Rendering and operating computer games poses the ultimate challenge for your computer hardware and software and if both are found lacking in any aspect, it's bound to reflect in performance. In the following lines, you will find the prime hardware and software related problems that may cause a computer to hang up or freeze in the middle of action.

Mismatching Hardware & Software Requirements

When you investigate why your computer slows down all of a sudden while playing games with heavy GPU usage, you will find the most common reason to be mismatching hardware or software requirements. If the game demands that you need at least 2 GB of RAM for the game to run smoothly and your computer has a paltry 512 MB of RAM, the game is sure as hell going to slow down! If your processor, graphic card and software requirements are not met, the game will continue to freeze or in some cases, it won't run at all. So check out the minimum hardware and software requirements for the game and upgrade your computer to ensure that freezing doesn't occur!

Video Card Driver Problem

One of the most crucial components that play a large role in the graphic rendering of games is the video card. If you don't have the right video card driver or your existing video card driver has bugs, the game may freeze. You will need to upgrade the video card driver to solve the problem.

Overheated Video Card and CPU

Another purely computer hardware related cause that may freeze your PC is overheating. If you have been playing for hours, the mortal failing of your CPU and video card are bound to get exposed, leading to a freeze situation. When this happens, you need to switch off the system and let it cool down for a while, before you start playing again.

Background Processes Eating Up Memory

If you have too many programs running in the background when playing computer games, they are bound to eat up the working memory of the computer and cause it to slow down. Ensure that all background processes, besides the ones that are absolutely necessary are not being run, to make your game play smooth.

Virus Problems

Another cause, which is the root of most software or hardware related computer problems is a computer virus infection. Viruses can keep processes running in the background that may cause a freeze during game play. They may even corrupt the game software installed on the computer. Get one of the best antivirus software and clean out all the virus infections that might be slowing the computer down.

Outdated or Corrupted Rendering Software

A crucial component in the running of games on a computer is the rendering software like DirectX that is installed on the computer. If you have an old or corrupted version, you may experience rendering problems during game play, leading to a freeze. This can be prevented by installation of the latest rendering software.

In most cases, the freezing problem is mostly related to the graphic card driver or mismatching hardware or software requirements. Check for each of the above causes one by one, until you arrive at the right diagnosis. Make sure that all the hardware requirements, as well as software requirements are met to ensure that your computer runs smoothly and doesn't hang up when you are in the middle of action!
 

 

Thank to Omkar Phatak

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-freezes-when-playing-games.html

How to Diagnose a Broken Computer

If your computer is having issues, don't panic or feel overwhelmed if you don't know what to do! This article will help you get a start on diagnosing the problem, whether it's a small issue or something more serious like a computer that won't turn on at all.

When Computers Break

Computers make our lives better in so many ways, but when they fail they can be indescribably frustrating. Increasingly, many of us have a good portion of our lives on the computer. From our important documents, pictures, and files to our music and movies to the games and other activities that we choose to spend time on, the computer is the location of a huge percentage of contemporary life. When your computer breaks, it can feel a lot like being stuck in a place where you don't want to be. Without the computer, so much of what you do on a day-to-day basis is suddenly unavailable. The good news is, by following a few easy steps you should be able to avoid panicking and head down the road to repairing your machine.

Turn off the Internet

The first step when you are having serious computer trouble is to avoid making the problem worse. This can be difficult if you have no idea what the problem is, but there are a few tricks you can use make sure you don't do further damage. First, if you still have access to the internet, disable it until you are sure the problem isn't caused by a virus. If you do have a virus, it's important that you don't allow it to contact other computers or exchange information over the internet. After you have disabled the internet, you can run full system scans for viruses and malware. If you don't have free antivirus and anti-malware programs already installed, do that as soon as possible, so you are prepared in the event of a computer problem.

Retrace Your Steps

After you have ruled out viruses and malware as the cause of your computer issue, it is usually safe to turn the internet back on. This will allow you to search message boards and tech support forums for advice on how to deal with your specific problem. Before you do that, however, consider what you were doing when the problem began, and what you did in the few minutes, hours, or days prior to the start of the issue. Retracing your steps this way will help you narrow down the problem. You may be able to identify what caused the problem just by thinking about what happened before.

Reverse Any Recent Changes

As you retrace your steps, ask yourself these questions: Did I install anything recently? Did I change any system or program settings recently? Did I update any software or drivers recently? Did I install any new hardware or external devices (like a new mouse or keyboard) recently? If you answer "Yes" to any of these questions, there is a good chance that your recent changes are the cause of the problem. There are several reasons that changes like this can cause issues, including compatibility conflicts or registry errors. Try reversing your changes if possible. Uninstall any recently installed programs, reset settings to defaults, or go back to old versions of drivers or software. After doing this, restart the computer to see if the issue is resolved.

Restart in Safe Mode

If your computer trouble prevents you from opening programs or accessing the internet, consider running your operating system in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, you will be unable to do many of the things you normally do on your computer, but you may regain the ability to uninstall programs or reverse any changes that could be causing issues. If your problem is caused by an issue in the Windows registry, you may be able to repair the registry using a utility or free program in Safe Mode.

Diagnose Faulty RAM

In the event that your computer does not turn on at all, there are still a few things you can do to diagnose the problem before you resort to taking it to a repair technician. One common cause of computers not turning on is faulty RAM, or memory. If you are confident opening up your computer and removing the RAM, do this, trying to turn the computer on with one chip at a time and alternating which RAM slots you put them in. If the computer turns on, one of your RAM chips is faulty and you can replace it yourself. If this is not the problem, it is likely that you have another hardware issue.

Don't Forget to Back Up Data!

If you are unfamiliar with computer hardware, it is best to take the computer to a repair technician at this point. However, if you feel comfortable repairing them yourself, connect to the internet using another computer and search for instructions and advice. The internet is a wonderful resource for repairing computers and you can find a solution to almost any problem online. One last word of advice: remember to back up your important data! Even if your computer is running fine now, you could run into trouble at any time. Good backups will pay off in the long run!

 

Thank to Buzzle Staff

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-diagnose-a-broken-computer.html 

How to Overcome Computer Rage

Most computer users today frequently face the problem of computer rage. Let us see what exactly is computer rage, and how you can overcome it.

You are busy working at your PC, and all of a sudden, the mouse pointer freezes, or the webpage you want to access seems to take forever to load, or you come face-to-face with an error message and cannot make heads or tails of it, or in the worst case, your computer crashes. What's your first reaction? Do you feel like smashing the keyboard, banging your mouse, and kicking the monitor? If you have answered 'yes' to any of the questions above, then you are a victim of computer rage. We are increasingly dependent on technology in today's world, and hence, instances of computer rage are on the rise. Venting out anger and frustration on the computer and other related devices when they do not function properly is known as computer rage. When the user cannot fix the problem, or when the problem occurs repeatedly, verbal abuse against the PC is a common way to let out the anger, and in extreme cases, the user can even get physical and bang the mouse, keyboard, or the screen itself.

Such displays of rage is also very common among players of computer and video games, when the user repeatedly loses or is unable to reach his/her game target. One of the most common causes of such rage is the appearance of the blue screen of death, which occurs when MS Windows encounters an error that is critical and non-recoverable in nature, and which usually leads the system to crash, and has to be rebooted.

Ways to Overcome Computer Rage

Rage or anger caused by computer trouble, frustrates workers, causes interruption in the work schedule, ultimately leading to deadlines not being met, which can further anger clients, and result in financial damages. Let us see how to tackle this problem.

• Always keep a backup of all your files. Store files online or transfer all necessary data onto CDs and DVDs. So in the event of a system crash, you can always retrieve your files even if the hard drive has to be formatted.
• Keep your cool. If you encounter an unexpected system error, do not use swear words or do something like hitting and smashing your PC that could actually harm the hardware. This will do you no good. You could physically hurt yourself and your actions may also cause monetary loss. Instead, get up, and walk away. Breathe deeply. Splash cool water on your face. Take a stroll, have a chat with your coworkers and friends and return only after you feel you have calmed down. You may even realize that you do not feel so frustrated after all. Try to look at things from a different perspective. You may be surprised to find the solution was right there in front of you, but you did not realize it because your mind was so clouded with anger.
• Call for help. Make a call to the tech support or IT help-desk of your organization, and ask them to come and have a look at your PC. If you are home, ask for help from a friend or an acquaintance who is good at troubleshooting such problems, or take your laptop to the store to get it repaired or call a tech support company and hire their services.
• Do not shout and express your anger at the people around you. It is not their fault that your computer crashed. If you have the tech support working on your problem, make use of the free time by completing unfinished paperwork, making urgent calls, or just chatting up with a coworker. Diverting your mind from the problem at hand can sometimes be beneficial. It will help you to think clearly and logically.
• If you face the same problem regularly, get to know the correct debugging and troubleshooting techniques. A little IT knowledge will always prove helpful, and you could even solve the problem yourself, instead of waiting for the tech support to show up.

With computers being used in practically every industry, hardware and software troubles are bound to be on the rise. It's up to you to keep a calm mind and not get perturbed by computer problems. Do not let computer rage control you. Learn how to control it so it does not interfere with your day-to-day activities.

 

Thank to Sailee Kale

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-overcome-computer-rage.html

Computer Keeps Restarting On Its Own

A computer that keeps restarting on its own is quite common. There are some specific guidelines you can follow to make it work properly. If you are facing similar issues, you need to take care of this issue immediately. To learn how to solve this issue, read on...

 

After a long day at work, you want to unwind, relax, and do light browsing on the Internet. Once you're finished with dinner, you are ready to turn on your computer and surf the web. However, when you go to turn your laptop/computer on, it automatically goes blank and restarts on its own. I wouldn't be wrong by saying that this is one of the most irritating incidents. And you can't just turn your laptop off and deal with it later. You want to get things done now. However, with a nonfunctional laptop, how are you going to even search for a solution. So I am assuming that you're at work at the moment or are using someone else's laptop to find the solution for this issue.

There can be several reasons why a computer restarts randomly. From virus to faulty hardware, the reason for your computer to not work properly can vary. Also, these days there are a number of hardware and software combination that can create a heck of a situation for the users. To revive your computer back to its original glory and to peacefully surf the Internet, read the rest of the article for a few reasons why your computer restarts as if it has a mind of its own.

Computer Restarting By Itself

Before you begin to panic and/or get disheartened, there are some quick fixes you can try to revive your laptop back to its original glory. And for that, you need to read the following steps carefully.

1. First of all, check all your hardware. If any hardware is loosely fit or needs replacement, you need to fix it immediately. Check the RAM (Random-access Memory) stick to see if it is corrupt. If that's not the case, check to see whether it is sitting properly or not. You may get an error message on your computer and the computer will restart. The same is the case with the hard disk. You can run a check with Memtest86. These are some of the most basic issues I've come across.
2. Many a time, an error message appears on the screen, instead of the computer rebooting on its own. This particular solution is for "system failure" errors. Go to My Computer and right click on it. Click on Properties and a small window will open. Go to the Advanced tab → Start Up and Recovery → Settings. In Settings, uncheck the box that says Automatically Restart. Click OK once, and then once more (click OK two times). This will help you analyze the issue instead of making the computer reboot on its own.
3. Another option to analyze why your computer keeps restarting on its own, is to restart your machine in safe mode. Wait till the computer boots up completely and your Windows is stable. If it does not reboot on its own, the problem is related to some software. If the computer restarts even in safe mode, the problem lies with the hardware or the operating system.
4. One simple, yet the most ignored reason for the computer to reboot is over-heating. Due to improper air circulation and dirt sitting between the CPU and the fan, the CPU gets hot and the computer shuts down. Make sure you provide good ventilation to your CPU, for it to work smoothly.
5. Improper drivers can also lead to a computer restart. To check this issue, go to My Computer and right click on it. Click on Properties and a new window will open. Go to the Hardware tab and click on Device Manager. A list will appear where you will have to check all the categories and if you find a yellow or red warning icon, you need to update that particular driver.

 

Computer Restarting at Startup

If the computer doesn't respond after startup and won't even let you boot up, then here are some tips that can help you. Remember, there's always a solution available. All you need to do is, follow the steps correctly.

1. A malicious code is a common reason why a computer restarts just after its starts. There are many computer viruses that get into your operating system and mess around with system files. Keep your antivirus software updated to get rid of or block any such virus. Also, installing a trustworthy antivirus software is very important.
2. A virus called bar311.exe can be the reason. To check if this is the reason why you are facing issues, click on Start → Run, type cmd, and press Enter. If your system reboots, then the virus is present. A registry tweak can be performed on the system to get rid of the virus. This virus attaches itself to userinit.exe file, which is responsible for the operating system to initialize the user settings and log in. The virus attaches itself with this file and starts every time the computer boots up.

Depending on exactly what the main issue is with your computer, perhaps the computer is freezing at startup, you can fix the issue easily. One of the main factors to remember, while using and working on a computer/laptop, is that fixing internal problems can give your computer a long life. It may seem challenging, for those who aren't "tech-savvy". But there is a way out; these easy-to-follow steps mentioned in the article. I hope these steps were clear enough and the next time your computer gives you similar issues, you'll know exactly what to do.

 

Thank to Sheetal Mandora

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-keeps-restarting-on-its-own.html 

How to Fix a Cyclic Redundancy Check Error

You do not need to call in help every time your computer faces minor glitches. Read the following article to get acquainted to the various methods to fix common PC problems yourself.

If you have a computer or PC, it will surely help in easing most of your problems. But with every computer comes along many headaches and complications, sooner or later. A computer is a machine and every machine breaks down sometime or the other. You do not need to run to the computer technician every time your PC crashes or is attached by a malicious software. If you know some simple solutions to the most common computer problems, it will help you save a lot of time and money. These glitches that can be solved by a common person like you and me in the world of computers.

There are many PC owners who think every time they face a problem with computer, they should contact professional help. True, but not every problem needs to be addressed by a computer expert.

How to Fix Computer Problems?

Problems with computer are divided into two groups, i.e., hardware problems and software problems. The hardware problems are related to the peripheral parts of the computer like the CD drive, hard disk, monitor, keyboard, etc. The software problems are more complicated. These problems include problems like modem problems, Windows not starting, drivers not found, etc. Understand what is causing the glitch and follow the standard procedure to solve the problem. The following are a few common problems and solutions to help you overcome the technical snag.

After Power Outage
Today there are many sudden power outages, voltage problems and spikes that can damage computers. These damages cause many technical and software snags and interrupt your work. This leads to loss of data, damage to the hardware, etc. due to sudden power outage. This is a solution to this trouble is use of uninterrupted power supply (UPS). The UPS can provide a constant flow of energy to the computer, even if you encounter a sudden power outage. This will provide you with ample time to save your data and shut down your PC, if needed.

Computer Performance has Slowed Down
You may notice your computer has slowed down considerably and even a simple command execution takes ages. This is because your computer is loaded with unnecessary files, fragmented data, corrupted registry, spyware programs, services, software, etc. that makes your computer slow down. Thus, you need to manage your programs and delete unnecessary data and software that you do not use or need, clean your registry regularly to help boost at least 30% of your computer performance speed.

No Sound from Speakers
You are in the mood to listen to some groovy music on your PC, but you get no sound from speakers, the solution to is to check the back of the computer and see if all the connectors are properly connected. The speaker or single stereo speaker plug should be put into the socket on the soundcard that has a mark Audio Out.

Computer Monitor Displays Fuzzy Images
A computer monitor is the display unit of the computer that is sensitive to electro-magnetic radiations. These electro-magnetic radiations are transmitted from the TV, radio, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, speakers, etc. Mobile phones transmit electro-magnetic radiations that is one of the main cause of monitor displaying fuzzy images. Thus, move away these disturbances away from the monitor and this problem with computer monitor will be fixed.

Computer Freezes with Blue Screen Hijacking Your Display
There are many problems that can cause your computer screen to freeze and blue screen to appear. This screen is called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This may be due to a spyware or computer viruses that have affected your computer. You need to update your anti-spyware and scan your computer for any viruses. If your computer is free from any such malicious software, then you may need to update your hardware drive. A hardware drive that is not updated may cause the CPU to lock up and interrupt working of the computer. If you find the problem cropping up even after a hardware drive update, then you may need to increase computer RAM. When you increase the RAM, the computing power increases and you will also be able to avoid the computer freeze. At times, BSOD may appear due to critical errors in the driver, software or registry problems. Windows may have to repair or reinstall missing components. If you do not find any visible cause, it would be wise to call the computer technician.

Computer Reboots Itself Again and Again
Another common problem with computers. In order to fix the problem of rebooting itself again and again, you will need to check the hardware. You may have a faulty power supply, defective or dirty cooling fan, etc., that may cause the computer to reboot again and again. The dust that accumulates on the fan, makes it heat up faster and in order to cool down the computer automatically switches off. Thus, clean the fan and check for power supply. Following these simple steps will help you to solve these problems with computer.

Computer Makes Strange Noises
Noises and vibrations from your computer are a hardware problem. Many electronic parts can make high pitch noises. You need to switch off your computer and unplug it from the power supply. Now remove the case from the CPU and restart your computer. Locate the origin of noise and then switch off the computer and unplug it. It may be a faulty fan, loose wire or screw. This means you will need to call the computer technician to help you solve your problems with computer, regarding these type of problems.

Windows Having Problems in Shutting Down Properly
You may have come across the message 'Windows Shutting Down' instead of 'It is now safe to switch off you computer'. This is because a program has not unloaded itself properly that makes the computer insist to run a scandisk the next time you switch on. You need to close all the programs before your shut down your PC and if it is not done, the computer waits for the program to close. It may happen you get the message 'Do you want to shut this program down or wait' or you may not. When you don't get such a message it results in what we call the hanging of the operating system. The solution is not to install Direct X whenever you install a game. Most games have their version of Direct X that makes the files out of sync. Thus, install the latest version of Direct X and not the games version. You may need to also check USB devices, task scheduler, virus scanners, etc. and reinstall them if necessary. This will lead to correct installation and the problems with computer may reduce.

Computer Gives Error Messages on Start-up
Many times when you switch on you computer you see error messages on your screen. These messages may appear such as, abclink.xyz missing or damaged - press any key to continue. If you see this message, you need to press keys for about 8 to 10 times, before Windows actually resumes. This happens when you delete a program instead of actually un-installing it. If you wish to get rid of any program, go to Control panel ---> Programs ---> Programs and Features. Here, you will find a list of programs installed on your computer. Select the specific you wish to delete and click on Uninstall. The program will be removed from your system and next time you switch on your PC, you will not get any error messages saying a link is missing.

Low Virtual Memory
Do you keep getting an annoying message that says 'system running low on virtual memory'? If yes, it means your computer is running short of RAM, that is, Random Access Memory. So, to solve this problem, you need to increase the size of your computer memory. Windows 7 users need at least 1 GB of RAM, Windows Vista needs 512 MB of Ram and Windows XP requires minimum 256 MB RAM. Visit your local computer dealer and purchase more memory from him. The dealer may even install the memory for you. This will help you get rid of low virtual memory.

You can avoid these problems if you are aware of the various steps needed for computer maintenance. You should read the manual given with computer before you begin using it. Yes, the manual may sound Greek to you, but it's always better to know the simple precautions to be taken. The troubleshooting is not an easy task. If you do not understand anything or are still apprehensive about these troubleshooting, then it is a better idea to consult a computer technician. You have many articles on the Internet that help you find solutions to various problems with computer. You do not need to be genius to diagnose and troubleshoot a simple problem. Many times a bit of presence of mind and common sense will help you overcome obstacles of the technical world.

Thank to Batul Nafisa Baxamusa

Article source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-problems-and-solutions.html