Check List of Common Tech Problems

Hardware Computer/monitor/keyboar Is the power chord plugged in? Is the power at the wall socket turned ON? d/ mouse/ doesn't work Is the the keyboard /mouse/ monitor correctly plugged into the motherboard and CPU

Is the computer / monitor power button on. Check the power supply at the back of the PC case and check that it is ON. Sound doesn't work Are the speakers plugged in – correctly – to the CPU?

If you have headphones, are they plugged in – correctly -to the CPU (match the colours) Is the volume up and the headphone channel activated?

Is there any sound playing? Check for any mute buttons in the sound system. Monitor went black Is it still plugged in? Are both ends of the Video and Power cables seated correctly - (wriggle & push – to make sure they are really plugged in). Is the Power indicator light on the monitor ON Windows I can't find my MS Office Did you look on the Desktop? The Start Button? Under 'All Programmes'? program Right click on the Desktop: select 'New'. Pick the MS Office app you need.

Push the Start Button and search for any file ending in .doc or .docx (depending on which version of Word you own). Your search should read *.doc or *.docx. When it finds a data file (a document created in MS Word), open it. That will open Word. Start button is gone Push the Flying Windows key. Taskbar is gone Hover over the bottom of the screen. Did it reappear?

Is it on the side of the screen?

Push the Flying Windows key (85% of taskbar tasks are to open a new program). Taskbar was moved Drag and drop it to where you like it.

Desktop icons are all Right click on the desktop. Select 'arrange' and how you want them sorted. messed up Screen says 'Ctrl-Alt-Del' Hold down the Ctrl-Alt keys with your left hand, and push the Delete key with your right hand. Slow working computer Remove redundant files and programs from the hard drive. Start → All Programs → Accessories → System Tools → Disk Cleanup.

When completed, then defragment the Hard Drive. Start → All Programs → Accessories → System Tools → Defragmenter.

If the previous 2 actions do not fix the Computer, tweak the startup and prevent the loading of unnecessary programs. Start → Run → Type 'msconfig'. This will open your system configuration utility Select the General tab and put a check in the box next to 'Selective Startup'

Next click the tab 'Startup'. You will see a list of programs running in the background. All these start automatically when the PC is turned on. Get resources back by unchecking some of them. Do not uncheck any Windows system applications. Any thing else shoud be fine. Within a Program I can't find the file Search for it (see instructions above)

Open the Recycle Bin. Is it in there? I need todays date Hover over the clock in the lower right hand corner. It'll show the date.

Start typing the date (you probably know the month) and Word usually auto-fills it in for you.

Shift+Alt+D is the keyboard shortcut for date. I erased my document / Ctrl+Z will undo one step at a time for up to 200 steps text /paragraph Program dissapeared Is it in the taskbar? Click to reactivate Program froze There is probably a dialogue box open somwhere. Look around the screen. When you find it, it'll want you to answer a question.

You might have gotten out of it. Re-select it on the taskbar. Menu command is grayed You're probably in the middle of something you don't even know about. Push 'Esc' (for out, won't work Escape) four times and try again I can't exit a program Alt+F4 closes most programs. Or Ctrl+W.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete and then select the Task Manager. From there pick the 'applications' tab and close your program. Double-click doesn't work Click and then push the Enter key Shift key won't capitalize Is your Caps Lock on? From the Internet Top toolbar Push F11 dissapeared It's too small Ctrl++ on the numeric keypad zooms in, as does Ctrl+ rolling the mouse wheel.

Conversly, Ctrl-- reduces the image or text size or rolling the mouse wheel in the opposite direcion. No internet connection Check your modem or network card. Turn off power to the modem for at least 30 seconds. Disconnect all cables. Check all connections as you remake the connections and make sure they are firm. Is there a driver for the modem? Is it the latest version?

Is your Modem affected by malware or viruses? Have you scanned your PC for malware and viruses in the past 24 hrs?