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Windows Problem Solver


Please fill in this form so I can help you solve your problem with Windows.

If you can't see the form, just email me a description of your problem .



Form Object

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If you found this page, there's a good chance you have a problem with your Windows Computer.

You can fix about 95% of your Windows software related problems by following my step-by-step DIY guide to mending your own computer.  This includes many hardware problems because it is often the case that software-borne infections and corruptions will damage system files or drivers which are needed by hardware peripherals such as printers, scanners, webcams, CD-ROM drives, USB ports, mouse, monitor screen, etc...  So, by fixing software problems one often finds that hardware devices will burst into life again.  On the down side, it is sometimes the case that system files or device drivers can be so badly damaged that the only way to repair them is to instal new copies.  In some cases you can download these files (especially drivers) from the Internet.  For example some web sites specialise in the supply of many types of printer driver.  There are millions of different types of driver available for the myriad of electronic peripherals capable of being plugged into a Windows computer.  So be prepared to spend a long time searching for the exact driver you need.  The Google search engine is invaluable for this type of investigative work.

If you have already tried that then I'm genuinely surprised that you are still here!  It's posible that your problem is hardware related.  Hardware problems can be much harder to fix (and more dangerous to tamper with).  They include things like loose cables, broken drivers (these are the little software bits that help your hardware talk to the Windows Operating System), flickering monitors, and possibly even a cracked casing resulting from where you just through it out the window!

Serious Computer Virus Infection
The problem may still be software related - even if you have performed the entire 28 step procedure with diligence.  If this is the case
then you are probably in the unfortunate minority of people with computer problems who have an extremely virulent form of malware.
I have seen cases (not more than 5%) where an infected computer is so deeply ridden with "nasties" that it can take many days of effort
to restore the machine to its original troube free condition.  If you think this is the case then you really should seek advice and help from a local expert.  The first thing you should do is try to take backup copies of your data and save them off to external media such as CD or
DVD, external hard drive or USB memory stick.  It's important to remember that you will almost certainly be backing up the viruses / spyware / adware / infected files and all other forms of malware along with your data files.  You can deal with that later.  The reason why this data backuip is so important (before you do anything else) is that the procedures necessary to try to deep clean your computer may also damage or destroy some or all of your user data.  Examples of the type of data files you should consider backing up to outside media devices are:

Letters, photographs and other images, home videos,  personal notes and letters, spreadsheets, word processing documents created by you, music files. 

If you have already followed my Do It Yourself instructions:

        Did you follow the complete procedure from start to finish?

        If YES
           
            You either have a hardware fault in which case you should call out a PC maintenance and repair specialist, or take it back to the
            shop where it was purchased.  Or you have a serious virus infection and you probably need to follow the advice in "Serious
            Computer Virus Infection" above.

        If NO

            Consider performing the step or steps that you missed out.  Return to the step-by-step DIY guide now OR you can read on,
            in the hope that the answer to your problem exists on this Windows problem solving page.

Unsure how to perform the Do It Yourself instructions?

Get help from a local Windows Computer technician.  Alternatively make use of a good remote support company who often charge very resonable rates to connect to your computer over the Internet.  Direct them to the Step-by-Step page on this site and tell them that's what you want.  I recommend using cptutor.com as they are familiar with our step by step solution and wont waste your time selling other products or services.  You can send them an email at help@cptutor.com to ask for details. They give a 5% discount when you mention "springclean".


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          Remember When?                                               A Poem About Technology


          A computer was something on TV
          From a sci fi show of note.
          A window was something you hated to clean
          And ram was the cousin of goat.

          Meg was the name of my girlfriend
          And gig was a job for the nights.
          Now they all mean different things
         And that really mega bytes.

         An application was for employment.
         A program was a TV show.
         A curser used profanity.
         A keyboard was a piano.

         Memory was something that you lost with age.
         A CD was a bank account.
         And if you had a 3 1/2" floppy
         You hoped nobody found out.

         Compress was something you did to the garbage
         Not something you did to a file.
         And if you unzipped anything in public
         You'd be in jail for a while.

         Log on was adding wood to the fire.
         Hard drive was a long trip on the road.
         A mouse pad was where a mouse lived.
         And a backup happened to your commode.

         Cut you did with a pocket knife.
         Paste you did with glue.
         A web was a spider's home.
         And a virus was the flu

         I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper
         And the memory in my head.
         I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash,
         But when it happens they wish they were dead.





© Nigel Goodwin - ComputorTutor (UK) 2009-2010