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Written another way....
Possessed PC
Find out how to diagnose your PC's problem before calling tech support.
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By Martin Sargent
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Computers do strange things. Sometimes a computer stops working properly for no good reason. You'd swear it's possessed. When a possessed PC starts troubling you, don't panic. Today we'll show you how to exorcise many of those bugs yourself, without running to tech support.
First, clear your head. There are few things as frustrating as a PC that acts kooky for no reason. In order to troubleshoot effectively, you must be calm so you can think the problem through and apply levelheaded deductive reasoning. Deep breaths, good thoughts.
Deductive reasoning
Look for evidence and start a process of elimination. If, for example, your monitor all of a sudden stops displaying properly, you can probably rule out the hard drive and the processor. Your targets will be the monitor and its cabling, and the video card and its software drivers.
Simple stuff
Check the simple stuff first. Ensure that all your cables are attached firmly and correctly. Look for signs of damage to cables or connectors such as bent pins.
Scan for viruses
Viruses are evil little devil spawn that can enter your system unbeknownst to you and wreak havoc. If your system starts acting screwy, scan for viruses using antivirus software. We suggest Norton AntiVirus. Remember, don't open email attachments. That's like inviting a vampire into your house.
What's changed recently?
What have you done to your system lately? Anytime you install new hardware or software, you change the state of your system. It's like taking a new medication -- it can fix a problem but also cause side effects and conflict with other medications you've been taking for a while.
Try uninstalling stuff you've recently added, one at a time, and see if the problem goes away. If your system is loaded with software and peripherals you rarely ever use, get rid of them. A spartan system always runs best.
Check the company's website
If a certain piece of software or hardware starts acting funny or doesn't work at all when you first start using it, check the manufacturer's website. There may be software patches or driver updates available for download.
Also, check the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to see if there are known problems with the product when used with certain system configurations or in congress with other products. You can also consult the newsgroups to see if other users have experienced the same problem and figured out ways to fix it.
Try a troubleshooting application
Though I've never had great success with them, you might want to try using a troubleshooting application to identify the culprit. Symantec's Norton Utilities is a set of well-regarded diagnostic tools.
Read the manuals
Few people read manuals. Manuals are boring and you're eager to try out your new software or hardware as soon as you get it home from the store. Big mistake. Manuals typically contain troubleshooting tips for common problems.
Help files are even easier to use than manuals because you can search specific problems by keyword. Use them.
Start fresh
When all else fails -- including calling tech support -- you might consider reinstalling Windows.
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Simple Wise-A%$ Techie
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