How to Fix a Computer Problem

Let’s face it. We live in a technological age, and have to either get with the program or settle for being out of the loop much of the time. Frustrating as it is when your computer doesn’t work right for some reason or other, it’s worth getting it fixed asap.

You probably have better things to do than read through chat rooms and pages and pages of FAQs only to find that your particular software or hardware doesn’t in the least respond to the solutions posted there. If so, you might want to try my new strategy:

If you have a general IT support person , call him or her first. Simply ask if this is likely a hardware problem, a system problem, a virus problem or a software problem. If it’s a hardware problem and your machine is relatively new, go to the supplier for help first. If it’s a system problem, go no further. Turn it over to your IT person. You don’t want to mess with any of that.

If it could be a virus problem, ask how to operate the software on your computer to find and delete the troublesome little brat. This is a good fix to know about in any case, so you might as well have the peace of mind of knowing how to operate it as a front line fix. It should be set up to scan daily anyway, but sometimes you just can’t wait. A complete scan will likely take up to two hours or more to finish and it doesn’t make sense for your IT person to be paid to wait. You can call back again after the scan is completed and all suspected viruses have been quarantined and deleted.

If it’s a specific software problem – say with Outlook, my most recent glitch – contact the technical support department of the company that distributes the software – in this case, Microsoft. If a simple Google search has not uncovered a solution, it will likely cost you to fix it. You will usually be able to purchase a support package for just a one-time fix or for a year at a time. Find out if you are limited in how many times you can call their tech help desk if you buy the one year package, then decide whether you could have enough reason to call for help – in using more features of the software, for example. If all that is included, it’s likely worth buying the package. That’s what I did. With Microsoft and with Sage, the distributor of my Contact Management Software called Act.

It’s just so much easier to be able to pick up the phone and call for help when I need it.

I know. I’m a wuss. But I’m a happier wuss now. No more hair pulling, cursing or drop kicking my computer.J