Doncaster Computer Healer

Checklist

The checklist can help identify your problem, and offers some useful help so you can attempt to fix things yourself.

If you are unsure of anything, pleaseContact Me.

General recommendations.
- I've looked though this checklist and it's all Greek to me. HELP!
  - Please use the Contact form on the left to get in touch with me. You can either use the form, call my mobile, or e-Mail me.
- You can never have too many backups!
  - I cannot stress this enough. Computers break. When they do, you need a good backup of your data because you don't really want to lose all the pictures from Aunt Florrie's 98th birthday, and to lose the company accounts you've been working on for the last month would not be pleasant. Always keep a couple of backups of your data. If you're not sure how, call me. I can help.
- Google is your friend.
  - Chances are that somebody else has had your problem. Key any messages you receive into Google exactly and see if somebody has already solved your problem!
- Installed new software?
  - New software can sometimes cause problems. Try uninstalling anything new and see if your problem goes away.

My computer won't start up.
- There are no noises coming from it when I press the button.
  - Make sure you've checked the fuse. Only replace it with another 3A fuse. If the fuse has gone, there's usually a reason for it, and using a larger fuse could cause more problems and may even be dangerous.
    If the fuse is OK, it's probably the power supply, but could be the system board. There were a load of duff capacitors shipped out from a Taiwanese manufacturer a few years ago, and they found their way into many systems and have been causing problems like this for years.
- The fans come on but nothing happens.
  - This is hardware failure, but could be something as simple as one of the cards popping out of it's slot. If you're brave, take the lid off the system unit and make sure all the cards are seated correctly.
- It makes some loud beeping noises but I get nothing on the screen.
  - The Beep Codes are different for each manufacturer, but they can tell you what is wrong. If you know the manufacturer of your system board and have access to the internet, there's a good change you can decode the cryptic beeps with some googling.
- It gets so far then stops.
  - Could be a driver issue, could be a more serious software issue.
    If you have Microsoft Windows, try starting the system with the F8 key, then selecting Last Known Good Configuration.
- It gets so far, then restarts.
  - Could be a driver issue, could be a more serious software issue.
    If you have Microsoft Windows, try starting the system with the F8 key, then selecting Last Known Good Configuration.

I think my computer has a virus.
- My ISP has stopped me sending email.
  - There's probably something on your system sending spam email out without your knowledge. You can try using some of the antivirus tools on the Free Software page to check your system, although once you're infected, they can be very difficult to remove.
- I'm getting windows popping up when I browse the internet.
  - There's something on your system popping up adverts whenever you click the mouse. You can try using some of the antivirus tools on the Free Software page to check your system, although once you're infected, they can be very difficult to remove.
- When I go to a website, it sends me somewhere else.
  - There's something on your system redirecting your web browser. You can try using some of the antivirus tools on the Free Software page to check your system, although once you're infected, they can be very difficult to remove.
- It's just being weird.
  - That could be lots of things! Peculiar behaviour can be an indicator of a virus, but it could just be a data corruption problem too. If you can, check the hard disk for errors (under the tools tab on the properties of the drive letter in explorer).
    Try starting the system with the F8 key, then selecting Last Known Good Configuration.

My computer is slow.
- I have installed a new program recently.
  - The new program could be causing the problem. Try uninstalling it and see if things speed up again.
    Is the hard disk light continually flashing? You could be running out of system memory.
- I have made no changes to the system, it's just slow all of a sudden.
  - Your computer may infected with some unpleasant software. Have a look at the anti-virus tools on the Free Software page to find some suitable anti-virus or anti-malware and use it to scan your system.
- My computer has always been slow and I want to speed things up!
  - I'll need to see your computer to understand what can be done to improve things. Depending on it's age, you may be better simply buying a new one rather than upgrading the one you have. Either way, I can show you the best deal for your money.

I'm having trouble with my internet connection.
- I cannot connect to my ADSL broadband internet.
  - Check, and double-check all the settings. If any of these are set incorrectly, your internet connection will not be happy.
    If you can, check the status page at your ISP. They may be experiencing problems in your area.
    Beyond this, there are a number of reasons why your broadband won't work.
    The first thing to try is a direct connection of your broadband router into the master telephone socket. This can be found behind the faceplate of the main telephone socket in your house. Only plug the router directly into it - no extra telephones, extention cables, or anything else.
    If you have a spare ADSL splitter, try it.
    If it still doesn't work, you need to call your ISP and log a call with them. If they are difficult, or you don't understand what they want, call me and I can speak to them on your behalf.
- My ADSL internet connection keeps disconnecting.
  - Disconnections are annoying. If the problem has started all-of-a-sudden, check the status at your ISP to be sure they aren't having problems.
    Using a normal telephone, check that the line isn't noisy. If you hear crackles or other noises on the line, these will affect your broadband. To eliminate any of your other telephone equipment, plug the same phone into the master socket. This can be found behind the faceplate of the main telephone socket in your house. If there are still crackles, it's either a problem with your handset, or a problem with the telephone line. Double check the line with another phone, and if you still get the crackles, contact your ISP. They may recommend you log a call with BT on 192 to get the line checked, but you have to deal with these things in the right order. If they are difficult, or you don't understand what they want, call me and I can speak to them on your behalf.
- I have cable and I'm getting problems.
  - Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of diagnosis available on cable connections. Check and double-check your settings, check with your cable provider that they aren't having problems. If you still having trouble, you'll need to log a call with them. If they are difficult, or you don't understand that they want, call me and I can speak to them on your behalf.

I'm having trouble with my wireless network.
- It's very slow.
  - This could be down to the limited range of some wireless hubs, or due to other devices using the same set of frequencies as your wireless network.
    If you can, try changing the channel on your wireless hub.
    If you live in an older building, these can sometimes have a big effect on the range of your wireless network. They built things properly way back when, but this does tend to cause range problems with wireless networks. Try moving your computer around and see if things improve.
    Current wireless hubs have much better range, but need both the hub and the wireless card in your computer replacing. This should only be done as a last resort.
- I cannot connect to my wireless network.
  - Unfortunately, this can be due to a multitude of problems. Ensure that all the settings match with the SSID, the shared keys and the authentication type. If you can, try changing the channel used by your wireless hub - cordless telephones can sometimes interfere with the signal and changing wireless channels can help.

My computer keeps freezing.
- It just stops. The mouse doesn't move anymore.
  - This is very difficult to diagnose, but is usually a hardware problem - either something is getting too hot, or something is about to break. If you have had any droning noises which have now gone away, that will be one of the cooling fans which has now stopped working altogether. In this case, the fan will need to be replaced. If things have overheated bady, other parts may need replacing too.
- It stops, but the mouse keeps moving.
  - Probably a hardware driver issue. Try getting the latest versions of the drivers for your graphics card, system board and whatever else you have installed.
- I have the dreaded blue-screen-of-death!
  - Usually a hardware fault, but can also be caused by faulty driver software. Update the drivers and see what happens.
    Sometimes there are compatibility issues between some pieces of hardware. These are difficult to get round and can require an alternative part from a different manufacturer to get things stable again.

I'm running out of space!
- Is there an easy way?
  - The easiest way to deal with this is an external USB hard disk drive, and transfer any data you aren't currently working on to it. Better still, get two and they you also have a good backup!
- I don't like wires trailing everywhere.
  - Understandable. I can add an additional hard disk drive into your system unit to give you much more storage space. Current sizes go up to 2TB, or 2,000GB, or 2,000,000MB - that enough for ya?

I have a new computer but all my stuff is on the old one!
- Can I transfer the data myself?
  - Yes, but you need a network cable to connect the two computers together. You should then be able map a drive from one system to the other, and then copy the data across the network link.
    Alternatively, you can use an external USB drive as intermediate data storage between the two systems.
- Can you do it for me?
  - Of course.
- Is there any way other than transfer?
  - Yes. I can take the old hard disk drive from the old system unit and put it into an external USB cradle which can be accessed by the new system. This has the advantage of giving you a convenient backup device to use in future.

My hard disk drive is broken.
- Can I get my stuff back?
  - Until I see it, I can't be sure. Data recovery is possible, at a cost. Specialist data recovery services are hideously expensive, so unless the information is massively important, it usually isn't worhwhile. I use a number of devious ways to recover data, but there are no guarantees that you'll get anything sensible back from a broken hard drive.
- What if you can get my stuff back?
  - You'll need a replacement hard disk drive, software reinstallation and the recovered data to put back on. It's a fairly straightforward process, but can be time consuming.
- And if you can't?
  - Nothing can be done. What's gone is gone. If you don't have a backup, there is no way to recover the information. Sorry.

Something different happened when I started it up.
- It complained about checking the disk and took ages.
  - If the computer did not shut down correctly, things can get messed up. This process tries to piece things back together again. Usually, it is sucessfull, but now and then things get broken. Wait for the process to finish, and try using the system.
    If you see any messages about bad clusters or bad sectors, this indicates a problem with your hard disk drive, and should be looked at ASAP to prevent loss of your information.

New software won't do what I want!
- Can you help?
  - If it's a package that I know, I'd be happy to show you how things work. I don't do structured training - I would recommend an evening course at a local college for that.
- Are there other options?
  - Usually many. Some may be free.

I need a new XYZ for my system.
- Can you supply and fit?
  - Of course. Use the Contact form on the left to send your enquiry. Be sure to tell me what you're after, and give as much detail as you can on your existing system.
- Can you just supply the parts?
  - I don't generally get involved in straightforward supply of computer equipment, but I can recommend the best value product for your purposes and a reliable vendor.

My computer is noisy.
- It has become noisy recently.
  - A droning noise indicates that one of your cooling fans is failing. This could be critical depending on which fan has the problem. It needs to be looked at.
    A repeated loud clicking noise or a high pitched whine is an indicator of a hard disk drive about to fail and should be looked at ASAP to prevent loss of data.
- It has been noisy from new and I would like to quieten it down.
  - Some computers are noisy. I can add sound deadening material and replace noisy parts with higher quality ones to reduce the volume.

Things that don't fit anywhere else.
- Who are you and what are your credentials?
  - My name is Andrew Gilhooley, and I've worked in the IT industry for over 15 years, mainly as a hardware consultant for a tier-1 vendor (blue logo, 2 letters, and no I can't get you cheap ink cartrigdes). I've also done quite a bit of computer support, software development, web design - I've dealt with most things computer related at some point. I'm Microsoft certified, Novell certified and Compaq certified. I'm based in Rotherham.
- Can you install me a copy of XYZ software for me?
  - Do you have the installation media and official license key? If not, then I'm afraid I can't help you. If you do, then it's not a problem.
- Can you set my computer up to spy on my significant other?
  - Sorry, I'm not a private investigator so I don't get involved in that kind of business. There are plenty of software packages out there which can do this, but I don't condone their use.
- Will you sell me a computer?
  - It's generally not something I get involved in, but I can help you choose what will be the best value for your purposes, and recommend reliable suppliers.
    I sometimes have 2nd user systems which may suit your needs. If you have an enquiry, use the Contact form in the link on the left.

Computer services, Computer repair, Broadband problems, Wireless problems, Data Transfer, Data recovery, Computer upgrades.

Doncaster Computer Healer

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Checklist