5 step troubleshooting tips for basic issues

Computers experiencing problems is commonplace in most homes and businesses. Wanting to smash your computer like an adult version of BamBam from the Flintstones is also commonplace when these issues come up at inconvenient times.

While some of the issues can resolve themselves, there are other problems that can cause more of a headache. We’ve put together some basic troubleshooting tips to help resolve common residential computer problems. If these troubleshooting tips can’t resolve your issue, don’t worry, give Mobile Computer Services a call and we can send out a technician to save the day!

My computer is frozen

1. Be patient and wait a few moments. Sometimes our computers spend some time “thinking” and freeze.
2. If you’re using a Mac, right click the unresponsive program and select ‘Quit’ or ‘Force Quit.
3. If you’re using a PC press the ctrl, alt & delete keys on your keyboard together at the same time.
4. Close any program in the window that pops up that says ‘Not Responding’.
   Once you’ve shut any non-responsive program give your computer a minute or two to get moving.
5. If this fails to solve the frozen screen, try turning your computer off. You may have to do this forcibly by holding down the power button for 5-10 seconds. However, you may lose your latest edits to an unsaved document.

If your computer is freezing often it is worthwhile getting in contact with our Mobile Computer Services team of experts. While a computer becoming unresponsive can happen momentarily from time to time, there’s only so far troubleshooting tips will take you. If it’s a recurring issue, it might be time to look at a permanent fix or upgrading your machine’s capacity.

My mouse won’t work

1. Make sure your mouse is plugged in properly and securely.
2. If you’re using a wireless mouse, check to see if the power light is on, it may need charging or new batteries.
3. Try unplugging and replugging or turning your wireless mouse on and off. If you have an option for another port to plug into, use this one.
4. Try connecting a back up mouse if you have one, if this works then you have isolated the problem to the mouse.
5. If the back-up mouse doesn’t work either, reboot your computer and try again.

If these five steps don’t work, give Mobile Computer Services a call. We can diagnose the problem quickly and get your mouse working again.

I can’t get connected to the Internet

1. Check your router is turned on, if you’re using a WiFi connection make sure the light on the router is on. If the lights are on try turning your WiFi off and on again your computer.
2. If you’re using an ethernet cable connection make sure both ends are connected securely. If you have a backup ethernet cable, disconnect your current one and replace it with the second.
3. Check to see if you can get a secondary device, like a mobile or second computer, to connect to the Internet. If another device can’t connect then it is a problem for your service provider and you should give them a call.
4. Try rebooting your computer.
5. If rebooting your computer hasn’t worked turn off your router, leave it for a minute or two and turn it back on.

If you haven’t been able to connect using your computer or a secondary device, this is a problem for your Internet Provider. There may be a more complex issue that a computer repair centre can certainly get to the bottom of.
 

These troubleshooting tips are basic, so don’t despair if your issue still isn’t solved. If you’re experiencing ongoing problems that are affecting your productivity (or your sanity!) then get in contact with the team at Mobile Computer Services. We can sort out the issue and prevent it from occurring again. After all there’s only so many times you can resort to ‘Force Quit’ or Ctrl-alt-delete before you want to take to your computer with a hammer.