DocAndersen
I spend a lot of time troubleshooting technology problems for some people. It isn’t that difficult a transition for me, because in part because I started my technical career as a helpdesk professional. I don’t count the six months where I sold computers as really the start of my IT career. That was more of a transition period from teacher to technologies. I was also training people at that time. My final transition out of education was in the space where I became a helpdesk professional. The sale is a huge part of what I do still, but when I was a dedicated sales person, that was very different. I was less focused on problems and more focused on selling solutions. I still sell solutions.
The reality of troubleshooting is that you can solve your problems. I always tell people to make sure they do the simple things. Restart your computer is the easy one. If that doesn’t solve your problem, then you need to do a little thinking. When does the problem occur is the next thing to consider. By this I mean does it happen while you are using a program or does it just randomly happen when you are using your computer? The first one is easy – next step is to update that program. If that doesn’t work, uninstall the program in question and reinstall it. If it is a while I am using the computer issue, you will have to do a little more digging into what might be wrong. Easy things to check, remove everything connected to your computer but the network, monitor and keyboard/mouse.
Removing everything gets you closer to vanilla. Vanilla is the helpdesk friend. It is also your friend. Vanilla systems let you figure out what isn’t working quickly!
If your system is stable after removing all the USB and other items plugged in it is time for one at a time plug them back in. I have a USB device at my house that doesn’t let my computer operate properly if it is plugged in all the time. Windows 7 and later allow you to plug USB devices in while the computer is operating and use them. That means you can keep it unplugged and only plug it in when you need it.
Good luck, troubleshooting isn’t that hard!
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Question of
I have a malware scanner on my PC.
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Yes
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No
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I use NOMOROBO or MALWAREBYTES to reduce robo calls on my cell phone and home phone line…
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Yes
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No
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I get frustrated with my computer…
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Yes
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No
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Question of
My friends call me when they have computer issues…
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Yes
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No
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Anyone can brute force a solution, given a long enough timeline. Having the insight to ascertain the root cause and address it correctly takes real skill…
Knowing when to throw in the towel is the number one skill! Sometimes it is hard to admit we cannot solve a problem!
So true. I see resignation as a sign of maturity and self-awareness
Troubleshooting can be the worst and try your patience.
Or it can be an easy process! I think I am going to write a how to make problems go away book.
You should, it would be a best seller.
I was a beta tester for a very large firm. The details exhausted me, lol.
Beta testers are very special people 🙂 infinite patience.