Before trying to troubleshoot a computer problem, take a deep breath. Relax! Most computer problems seem more serious than they are simply because you were not expecting them. Taking a step back and assessing the situation without viewing the problem as catastrophic will help.
o First, is the computer on or off? If the system has crashed and is now off, give it at least 30 seconds to cool down and try restarting the computer. In many cases, restarting a computer will solve the problem. This is often called power-cycling the machine.
o If the computer is still on and a program quit unexpectedly, try reopening the program. Many programs have recovery functions that will immediately start up when a program is opened after an unexpected quit.
o If the computer appears frozen and nothing you click seems to work, try to force quit the programs by pressing the keys CTRL-ALT-DEL (Mac: CMD-OPTION-ESC) simultaneously. In the Task Manager, under Applications, END any program that is Not Responding. On a Mac, select the unresponsive program in the list and click the Force Quit button. If this does not work, hold down the power button until the machine powers down.
o Don’t forget to check the obvious. Computers won’t turn on without power. Monitors won’t show anything if they are not connected to both a computer and power. Printers and other peripheral items need to be powered and connected to the system. Most technology will have a green or blue light to indicate that they are turned on. Also check that cables are well seated and correctly plugged in.
o Try to remember what caused the problem. Did you accidentally hit a wrong button? Is the computer overly hot to the touch? Did a plug get pulled out of a socket?
o Often, you will receive an error message before a program closes. Write down the message!
o Think about what you’ve recently done with your computer. Did you install something new? Did you change any settings? Did you let someone else use your computer? If others routinely use your machine, consider creating a guest account that does not give users the ability to download or install items.
o If you are going to call or email someone for help, be sure to know as much about your computer as you can. Know the brand (Apple, HP, Gateway, Dell, Acer, Sony) and model of your computer and, if possible, the Operating system (Windows XP, Mac OS X, etc).
Some Good Troubleshooting Guides:
Marquette University’s Troubleshooting guide
PC World Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide
Sick computer image courtesy Academic Computing’s Wayne Gagnon