7/27/2019 Quick Start Guide - Computer Troubleshooting Basics

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Quick Start Guide Computer Troubleshooting Basics

Learning Technologies Center Updated June 6, 2006

I. Introduction

Computers are incredibly complex devices, and as suchhave more than a few areas for problems to occur.Presented here are answers to some of the morecommon problems you may encounter.

II. Start-Up (Boot) Problems

Occasionally, your computer may not start properlyand/or display confusing error messages and optionsupon start. Two common situations that cause booterrors are described below:

1. Floppy Disk in the Disk Drive When a computer starts, the machines BIOS (BasicInput Output System) looks at various drives in thecomputer to locate the operating system. The first placethe computer looks is usually the floppy drive.

If a floppy disk that does not contain an operatingsystem is left in the computer, the boot sequence willstop. Worse, the computer may display error messages:

Remove disks or other mediaor the more cryptic NTLDR is missing

Fortunately, the fix for these messages is easy. Simplyeject the floppy disk, press any key on the keyboard (thespacebar works nicely), and the computer should startproperly.

2. Safe Mode Messages

If a computer crashes or is shut down improperly, it maydisplay a bewildering array of start options when thecomputer is started. These options include:

Safe Mode

Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging

Start Windows Normally Etc, etc, etc

Generally the best way to recover from this problem is toselect Start Windows Normally using the arrow keyson your keyboard. Once this choice is made, press yourkeyboard Enterkey.

After you press the Enter key, the computer may ask youto choose an operating system. This is a bit confusing,

because in most cases, there is only one operatingsystem, and one choice, Windows XP Professional.

In the rare instance that the computer does containmultiple operating systems, you simply choose thedesired system and press the keyboard Enter key tocomplete the startup sequence.

Sometime the computer will run disk diagnostics (ScanDisk) as part of this recovery sequence. Let thecomputer complete this activity. After the scan isfinished, you should be able to complete the start upsequence properly.

III. Shutdown ProblemsJust as computers sometimes hang when they start,they also occasionally hang (refuse) to shutdown.Occasionally, computers will lockup during use. If any ofthese conditions occurs, you can force the computer toshutdown.

To initiate a forced shutdown, simply hold the PowerButton in on the main system unit for 6 seconds. Thiswill turn the computer off.

Shutting down a computer in this manner is only advisedwhen the computer is locked up. When you restart thecomputer, the machine may present options for safe

mode restart.

IV. The Computer is Just Plain Ornery

Computers, like children, sometimes need a timeout. Ifyour computer is acting oddly, give it a timeout. In otherwords, shut the computer down normally and restart it.

If the computer wont shut down normally, use the forcedshutdown method described above.

In most cases, once the computer is restarted, thegremlins will be gone.

V. Printing from Blackboard and the Web

Printing web pages is a challenge for a variety ofreasons. Sometimes printed text will be cut off, othertimes only bits and pieces of the web page will print.

Some web pages will have a link to a printer friendlyversion of the page. Look for this link and use it. Thesepages are well-designed and nearly always look finewhen printed.

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Computer Troubleshooting Basic (cont.)

echnologies Center Updated June 6, 2006Learning T

Beware of framesets. Many websites (includingBlackboard) are displayed in framesets. A frameset is acontainer for multiple web pages.

In the case of Blackboard, the screen you see is actuallycomposed of three separate web pages. To print from aframeset:

1. Using Internet Explorer, right-click the backgroundof the web page. Perform this right-click in thegeneral area containing the information you wish toprint.

2. Select print from the menu that is displayed. Thiswill display a standard Windows print dialog box.

3. Click the Options tab in the print dialog box andchoose the option that says Only the selectedframe.

VI. Saving and Viewing Blackboard Files

Professors post a variety of files to Blackboard includingAdobe Acrobat (PDF), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Toview these files it is generally best to save the file to yourcomputers desktop and then open the file by double-clicking it. To save a file to the desktop:

1. Right-click the hyperlink for the file.

2. When the menu appears, click the Save TargetAs option. This will display a standard File SaveAs dialog box.

3. Save the file to the Desktop of the computer. Oncethe file is saved to the Desktop, it can be openedeasily by double-clicking the file icon.

Why do we save files to the desktop instead of openingthem directly from Blackboard? Saving files to thedesktop allows you to open the file in its nativeapplication, rather than a file viewerused by yourInternet browser. The native application has fullfunctionality; the file viewer often does not.

VII. Printing Adobe PDF Files from the Web

Adobe Acrobat documents are easy to print from theweb, but individuals sometimes experience difficulty withthis task.

When printing Adobe documents, it is important to select

the print button built into the PDF viewer. The AdobePDF print button is indicated by the blue arrow below.

Clicking the browser print button (shown beneath the redsymbol) or choosing print from the file menu will printthe web page that contains the adobe document, but willnot print the actual document.

The best approach for printing documents is achieved byfirst saving the document to the computer desktop and

then printing the document from its native application.

VIII. Blackboard Documents Wont Open

To properly open a file from Blackboard, follow the stepslisted in section five. If the file still wont open properly,check to ensure that the files native application editor orviewer is installed on the computer.

A computer cannot open or display a file if theappropriate application editor or viewer is not installed.

For instance, a professor might post SPSS files on his orher Backboard site. If your computer does not have theSPSS application, the files will not open.

If your computer seems to have the correct applicationfor your document or file, check to see if the applicationis current. The problem may be that the file you areattempting to view is newer than the application you areusing to open it. This is a particular problem with Accessdatabases. A computer that has the Access 97application will not be able to open Access databasescreated with more recent versions of Access.

IX. Additional Questions?

Kutztowns Learning Technologies Center staff can helpyou with basic troubleshooting. To arrange an

appointment for training, or to ask additional questions,contact:

Will JeffersonLearning Technologies Center Coordinator610.683.4757