When troubleshooting computer problems what one can repair or fix is usually proportionate to the skill of the person and the level of skill required to fix the problem itself.
For example just about anyone can run the Windows system restore with very little help, but if a computer does not boot, but only gives a blue screen with lots of spurious characters on it this would usually be a completely different ball game.
Most people would simply bite the bullet and take the computer into the local pc shop and pay for the privilege of getting it fixed rather than take the risk of trying to fix it themselves and making the problem worse.
But how involved is fixing a computer with an issue such as a blue screen really going to be?
Speaking from personal experience troubleshooting computer problems is generally pretty easy, and around 80% of problems are what I would class as quick fixes, but even for someone with very little experience once you Google your problem or ask on a forum the chances are someone else will have had the same issue.
A classic example of this was a problem with Microsoft Word, the application was repaired, reinstalled and still the problem persisted, in the end it took 2 seconds to fix as it was just a case of deleting the normal.dot or normal template which word recreates itself, this was something that was Googled and in was a simple fix in the end.
If you need to ask a question on a forum, above all remember you are asking someone, a complete stranger to help you, so make sure your question contains enough detail, but is not too long or people will take one look and not be bothered to read the whole thing, so make it concise and to the point and offer thanks in advance, this way you will get lots of responses to your question and if necessary you can ask for further details if you don’t fully understand the answer.
Learn the basics about troubleshooting computer problems as Windows provides a lot of built in tools and utilities such as Windows repair and restore which just about anyone can use.
Remember to backup your files so if the worst does happen you only lose the operating system and applications which can all be reinstalled, so no matter what you do to the computers software while trying to fix it your files will be safe.
In regard to hardware problems – Just about every computer component today is modular, so if a hard drive dies you fit another hard drive, power supply dies you fit another power supply.
All of these components are usually held in by a few screws and a couple of cables and that’s all, fitting it just the reverse of removing. If you have a computer that does nothing but beep this is the computer telling you what the problem is, certain beeps are error codes you just need to Google the beeps and you should be able to find out what the issue is.
When working with computer hardware make sure it’s disconnected from any mains power, also ensure you are earthed to prevent any damage to computer components from static electricity or ESD.
Two things that really don’t go together are static electricity and computer components, don’t take chances make sure your earthed when working with your computers components.
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