Troubleshooting
This page is dedicated to those simple, yet often asked questions about why your computer may not work properly. If you come across a problem that cannot be fixed using this page, please contact Mr. Sissom at the Technology building.
First Things First
- Make sure the power cable is plugged in and that it is working properly
- If you use a power strip, make sure it is switched on.
- If a peripheral, such as the keyboard or mouse does not work, make sure that all connections are secure.
- If an error message appears on the screen, write down the entire message. You may need it when you contact technical support.
- If an error occurs in a program, consult help at the Technology Building.
Power
My system is turned on but nothing is getting power
- If you system is plugged into a surge protector, make sure the surge protector is securly connected to an electrical outlet, switched on, and working properly. Plug a working device, such a radio, into the outlet then turn it on to test the outlet.
- Make sure all components are connected securly to the surge protector and that it is properly switched on.
My monitor is turned on but I can't see a picture
- Check to make sure that your computer is turned on and that the monitor is plugged into the computer correctly.
- Make sure that the monitor is plugged into an outlet, power strip, or surge protector correctly and that they are all working properly.
- If you have a black screensaver on, move your mouse to see if it is turned on.
- Check your monitor settings for your contrast and brightness/darkness.
I can't hear sound
- Check your volume to see if it is turned down or muted.
- Check your speaker power. See if they are turned on or off and if the sound is turned down on them.
- Make sure the speakers are properly plugged into the computer.
Mouse
The mouse does not work
- Make sure that the mouse is plugged in correctly. If it is loose you will need to plug it back in correctly then restart your computer.
- Try a mouse you know is working.
- Shut down and restart your computer.
The mouse works erratically
- The mouse may need cleaning. See "cleaning the mouse" on the maintanence page.
Keyboard
The keyboard does not work
- Make sure the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly.
- If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off the compter. Drain the keyboard by turning it upside down and let it dry before turning the computer back on.
- Try a keyboard that you know works.
A key keeps repeating
- Make sure nothing is resting on the keyboard.
- Make sure a key in not stuck. If one is, clear it, turn your computer off, wait a few second and then turn your computer back on.
The keyboard is not responding
- Make sure the keyboard is properly connected to the back of your computer.
My keyboard calculator is not working
- Check to see if your Num Lock indicator light is illuminated. (Num Lock light is located above the print screen button)
- If it is not illuminated, press Num Lock button located above the 7 on your keyboard calculator. This will allow the calculator function to work.
- If you check the indicator light and it is already illuminated, contact the technology department.
The Start bar
Why is my bar big?
- Move your mouse cursor to the top edge of the bar and wait until a double ended, black arrow appear. Click and drag the bar until it is the ize you want.
What if I can't find my file?
--To find files and folders using the Find program
- Click Start, then select Find from the maim menu. A box like the one below will appear.
- In the appropriate boxes, type in whatever you know about the file. For example:
All or part of the file name
Text that is inside the file
The date it was created or modified
- Click Find Now The computer will begin searching for your file.
After the system searches for all the matches to the info that you put in, a list of files that contain all or part of the info that you searched for. Simply double-click on a file name to open it.
Disk Error or Non-Systems Disk
- When starting up the computer, an error may appear saying that there is a disk in the A: drive or it may say non-systems disk. Remove the disk from the floppy drive and press any key to conntinue booting up the computer.
My Computer Froze!
- Press the Ctrl, the Alt and the Delete buttons down at the same time then release them all at the same time.
- A box will appear that lists all the programs your computer is running.
- At this point you will press the same three buttons again. This will cause your computer to restart.
- In the event that Ctrl + Alt + Delete does not work, simply press the power button, wait a few seconds then turn your computer back on.
One of my programs froze
- Press Ctrl, Alt and Delete at the same time.
- A Close Program box will appear. The program you are currently working in will be at the top of the list and will be highlited.
- Click on the program that had Not Responding out to the right of it.
- Click on End Task. Another box will apear shortly afterwards.
- Click on End Task again. This will close the frozen program. You will need to open up that program again if you would like to continue working in it.
Out of Memory Error
There are a couple of things that could be happening: you could have too many programs running, or you could have too many documents with lots of graphics open.
- Acknowledge the error message, then check the taskbar to see what programs you are running are running. Close the programs that you aren’t using.
- If you don’t have extra programs running, check the window menu of the program that is running to see what documents are open. Close those documents you aren’t using (remember to save changes to the documents!) and then try completing your task.
- If you still get the message, exit everything and reboot your computer.
My Document Just Disappeared!
You could have accidentally told your computer to create a new document – a plain blank page – creating the impression that the work you had on your computer is gone. Look at the title bar of your screen to determine what document you are working with. Minimize the "new" document (do not just close it!), and the original document should return to the screen.
If this does happen, don’t panic (yet)! You may have accidentally selected text and then pressed another key on the keyboard while the text was highlighted. What you actually did was tell your computer to replace the selected text with the character you had pressed. Reverse the action by using the program’s undo feature.
To "undo" an action
- Click on Edit and then Undo. This will undo whatever you just did. This function only works for the most previous action that you did.
When I type something, it types over text I've already written!
You have your Overwrite turned on. Locate the Insert button on your keyboard and press it once. This will allow you to continue typing normally now.
