Computer hardware software troubleshooting guide

This is usually a Windows setting issue. The solution to this problem is simple — Windows must have been configured to only use a portion of the RAM.

Here is how to fix it:. Good to know: While you are at it, you should also check the checkbox next to Number of processors option and ensure your PC is utilizing all the CPU cores as well. Set it to the maximum number if you want to use all of the CPU power.

Try reinstalling it. Your PC fan runs according to how much your PC is heating. The higher the temperature, the faster the fan will run. You can use the SpeedFan app for this purpose as well. It will tell you the running speed of all the fans inside your PC so you can manage their speed.

If you have multiple RAM slots, then taking out each one of them one by one and starting the PC will help find the culprit. In the end, you will have to replace the corrupted RAM or the hard disk, whichever has the issue. If your PC is not powering on at all — not even a single light in it, then it must be a problem with the power source. Laptop users: Take out the battery and put it back before starting the laptop. Start the PC on charger power and see if it works.

You will have to replace the battery if it fixes the problem. Note: You should also remove all types of external devices connected to your PC while trying this. A malfunctioning device might cause this issue. If you hear a lot of extra noise while using the PC, then most probably it is a plea to clean it up. Get it cleaned or use a can of compressed air or leaf blower to clean it up yourself. You can check this article about all the PC components that create noise for more information.

If you hear clicking or grinding sound from the hard drive , then it might be time to get a new one. Hard drives have a limited lifespan and loud sounds are the main sign of a near hard drive failure. You can use CrystalDiskInfo hard drive monitoring tool to check the health of your hard drive. The tool will tell you the current health of the hard drive with signs like "Good", "Caution" or "Bad".

You should back up all your data immediately and try to get another hard disk before this one fails on you. BlueScreenView is a great Nirsoft utility that will show important information if you have recently suffered a Blue Screen of Death.

You should be able to identify and solve the problem using this information. Below are some common reasons for BSOD and their solutions.

You can also use a third-party app like IObit Driver Booster to automatically find and fix driver problems. For that, you should either stop opening too many programs or upgrade the RAM.

BSOD is also a sign of a dying hard disk , use the instructions in problem 11 above to identify hard disk problems. Once your computer is in Safe Mode, launch the problematic software and try to replicate the problem you had while your computer was in normal mode. If you don't have the same problem in safe mode, there's a good chance that the issue was caused by your OS or another program, not by the application you are troubleshooting.

As a final troubleshooting step, you might defragment your computer's hard drive. Defragmenting rearranges your hard drive's file structure so that the system runs more efficiently. Defragmenting will probably be most useful if you're experiencing overall sluggishness on your computer, because defragmenting is meant to make your entire system run faster. Note that defragmenting a hard drive applies primarily to Windows-based computers.

Most recent Windows editions — including XP, Vista, and Windows 7 — include a built-in disk-defragmentation tool. Be aware that defragmenting a hard drive can be time-consuming, so make sure to perform this task when you will be away from your computer for a few hours. If the tips listed above haven't solved your software problem, it may be time to call tech support. At minimum, you'll be able to help them narrow down the problem by describing the troubleshooting steps you've already taken on your own.

You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Skip Ribbon Commands. Skip to main content. Turn off Animations. Turn on Animations. Before you call tech support, check out our step-by-step guide to troubleshooting software.

Free up RAM by closing other open programs. From the window that appears, click the Processes tab, then click the Memory menu item. This sorts all open processes based on the amount of RAM they're using. You can shut down a runaway process by clicking the End Process button. Before you do that, you may want to do a bit of research on the process to ensure that you don't accidentally stop a critical process or program. Restart the software. Shut down and restart your computer.

Use the Internet to find help. Here are a few places to get started: Search for answers: In your search engine query, include the software program name and version, the problem you encountered, and the circumstances under which the problem occurred. If you received a specific error message, enter the exact error message text, along with the name of the application. Check the vendor's website: Most software vendors provide some form of product help, such as answers to frequently asked questions, product documentation, or user discussion forums.

Whenever you have a problem with your computer, don't panic! There are many basic troubleshooting techniques you can use to fix issues like this. In this lesson, we'll show you some simple things to try when troubleshooting, as well as how to solve common problems you may encounter. There are many different things that could cause a problem with your computer. No matter what's causing the issue, troubleshooting will always be a process of trial and error —in some cases, you may need to use several different approaches before you can find a solution; other problems may be easy to fix.

We recommend starting by using the following tips. If you're having an issue with your computer, you may be able to find out what's wrong using the process of elimination. This means you'll make a list of things that could be causing the problem and then test them out one by one to eliminate them. Once you've identified the source of your computer issue, it will be easier to find a solution.

Let's say you're trying to print out invitations for a birthday party, but the printer won't print. You have some ideas about what could be causing this, so you go through them one by one to see if you can eliminate any possible causes. First, you check the printer to see that it's turned on and plugged in to the surge protector.

It is, so that's not the issue. Next, you check to make sure the printer's ink cartridge still has ink and that there is paper loaded in the paper tray.