Quick tips: how to fix a broken computer

Having computer trouble? There is nothing more frustrating than sitting down at your desk with a long list of things to do and the computer just won’t work! We thought it might be helpful if we put together a simple checklist you can go through to try and tackle the issue yourself.

Of course, more complicated problems are better left to the professionals, but sometimes the issue is very simple and all that is needed is a nudge in the right direction.

Check out our infographic for a speed read of some actions you can take to get up and running again. If you need a bit more information, just continue reading the rest of this blog…

If your computer is slow, crashing or freezing…

1. Reboot computer

If your computer has been overloaded with more tasks than it can handle, a simple reboot will erase the RAM and, at the very least, cool down overheated components.

2. Reboot router

Perhaps your internet is acting up. As simple as it sounds, turning the router on and off again can do the trick. Just make sure to wait 10 seconds before you switch it on again, to make sure the batteries are completely drained.

3. Run a virus scan

It is very possible your computer is slow, crashing or freezing because it is infected with a virus. Better to be safe than sorry, so run that scan!

4. Update software

Software updates are important because they often contain patches for security holes, new features, improvements to capabilities or fixes for software glitches.

5. Free up some storage

If your drive space is at capacity, it’s bound to slow down your processing power. Delete unnecessary files and apps you don’t use. On Windows, you can use Desk Cleanup to clear out temporary files you don’t need anymore. Even better, start storing your files in the cloud!

6. Reinstall the operating system

If none of the above makes a difference, you may need to start from scratch. Reinstalling your operating system will set your computer back to its factory settings. Windows gives you the option to keep personal files, but if you need to do a complete wipe then make sure you backup first.

If your computer won’t start…

1. Is it plugged in?

No, we are not being smart! Things become disconnected for various reasons. Perhaps you moved the computer, or the office dog went rogue! Check your connections and make sure everything is connected up securely.

2. Check the monitor

Can you hear the computer fans buzzing away but nothing is appearing on the screen? The monitor may simply be off or experiencing connective issues. Again, check wires are connected. If that’s not the issue it could be the video card or the hardware itself.

3. Is your power supply working?

A computer’s power supply doesn’t last forever. If you receive system startup failures, memory errors or find your HDD file is corrupted, this could all be due to a failed power supply.

4. Reseat

Reseat basically means to detach and reattach something. You can do this with most parts of your computer, such as connections and internal components i.e. expansion cards, memory modules. This is just like checking if it is plugged in, but for every component of the computer.

5. Is the power button broken?

Could it be that simple? Things do break!

6. Replace motherboard

You may not want to hear this but if you’ve gone through all of the above and still nothing has worked, you may need to replace the motherboard of the computer. This doesn’t happen too often so make sure you’ve exhausted all possibilities before taking this step. Remember, when in doubt a quick Google search of your issue can do wonders!

Do you want to extend your IT support desk or perhaps outsource your whole IT team? At Unity, we offer managed services in a variety of areas to support your IT function. Get in contact with us today to discuss which of our managed services may be most suitable for your business.