Fix common PC problems
Locating the problem
Microsoft provides a couple of free options to help you locate and fix the PC issue you’re encountering:
Online: Is your PC showing an error message? If so, write down the exact number and wording of the error message, and search for it on the Microsoft Fix it Solution Center. In many cases, the Fix it center provides a “hot fix,” which is an automated solution you can run on your PC with just one click! Even if you don’t see an error message, you may be able to find the solution in the Fix it center, either by topic or by searching. You can also check Microsoft Answers and Office Answers.
Download: You can try out the new Microsoft Fix it Beta. Just download it to your machine, follow the instructions to set it up, and then it will tell you if you have any updates to run. Note: Once you run it, the system will ask you to set up an account, or you can sign in with your Windows Live ID. Also, the Fix it Center will ask you to send information about your computer.
Walk through your system yourself: If you’d like to understand more about the issue you’re seeing, walk through the steps below to help you figure out if the problem is related to hardware, software, or the operating system (such as Windows 7, Windows XP, or Windows Vista). The following are some common indicators that can help you decide which is the right answer.
We recommend you start at the top by determining if your software is working, using the Software errors section that follows. If the issue persists, proceed to the Hardware trouble section and then to the System failure section. The lists on the right side of this page may also help you narrow down the type of trouble you are experiencing.
Incoming search terms for the article:
Similar articles
- Fix a Problem – Free Computer Help
Fix a Problem With Your Computer By Tim Fisher, About.com Guide to PC Support Is your computer locking up? Are you getting a weird error message that you can’t figure out? Are you having trouble even starting your computer? No matter what kind of problem you’re having, big or small, you’ve come to the
... - Computer Operating Systems
Operating systems Quick links Operating System ABCsOperating System typesOperating System overviewsTroubleshootingOperating System Q&AOperating System definitionsApple newsLinux / Unix newsMicrosoft news Operating system ABCs An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless.
... - How to Fix Your Slow Computer for Free
The first thing you need to do is to assess the state of your computer. Does it even start up to Windows? Is there a blue screen or another error displayed? Is it just slow or are there pop-up advertisements on the screen? The computer will not turn on. Check for any lights
... - Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting. Issue: Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting. Additional information: This document has been created as a location of general steps that can be taken to help you with problems you may be experiencing with Microsoft Windows XP that are either general problems and/or problems not documented elsewhere in the Computer
... - Common Hardware Problems — Learning & Scholarly Technologies
General Hardware Troubleshooting Tips Regardless of the problem there are a few steps that must be taken whenever troubleshooting a hardware problem. These may seem rather insulting to most people, but one must never forget to do them; if they are not done you might very well waste allot of time and possibly create a
...