Common Computer Problems

Common problems that you encounter while using your personal computer and how you will be able to fix it just by being at home.

Missing DLL File

Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) files house information for your operating system on how to perform certain functions. Occasionally, your computer loses DLL files or something damages them. When your PC can't read the particular DLL file, it doesn't know how to respond in certain situations. You may have a missing or corrupt DLL file if you receive an error message every time you perform a certain function, such as saving. If your computer problems are stemming from missing and damaged DLL files, you can restore them by downloading them back onto your PC.

Applications That Won't Install

If you're having trouble with an application not installing, it may be because your computer doesn't have enough hard drive space. If this is the case, you need to free up some space. This is one of the computer problems that's, well, least problematic. You can free up some hard drive space by getting rid of files and folders you don't need. These may be temporary files, duplicate files or data for software you've uninstalled.

Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)

Many people think of blue as a calming color; however, when it comes up on your computer screen with a bunch of white text, it probably has the opposite effect. The blue screen of death (BSoD or STOP Error) may appear to be one of the scariest computer problems you'll come across. However, all your computer may need is for you to reboot it. This STOP error appears on your screen for a variety of reasons: failing hardware, damaged software, corrupt DLL files, problems with drivers and more. The remedy for a blue screen of death depends on the original problem. The screen provides you with codes that can help you identify and fix your computer problems.

Applications Run Slowly

There are several reasons software might be running at turtle speed. You may have computer problems that involve your operating system or an application, your operating system might be missing updates or your computer doesn't have enough hard drive space. If you don't have enough hard drive space, you can scan, clean and optimize your hard drive.

Abnormal Applications Behavior

Computer problems that involve applications acting strangely oftentimes leave you wondering what has happened. Your application has been working just fine, but now, seemingly without reason, it is doing something strange.

For instance, your Word document will no longer show the top margin of your document. It still says it's there, and when you print it, there's not a problem. You just can't see it on your monitor. If this is happening, you may want to restart your computer. Conducting an internet search for the type of problem you're experiencing or consulting your user manual may help you as well.

Using System Repair Software

If you have computer problems, chances are, system repair software can help you fix it. Most of these applications can repair operating system problems that lead to the Blue Screen of Death. They can also replace missing or damaged DLL files. System repair software can also free up space you need for another application, and it can optimize your computer so it runs faster. It may even identify problems you're having with applications, but it depends on the software you use and the application that's having problems.

Windows 7 Activation Failed and Windows Not Genuine

The Windows Activation Failed is a problem where you failed to activate your windows in the internet. This is a common problem to users with duplicate Windows Operating System. In order to fight piracy, Windows automatically require your installed OS to be activated so that they can detect if your Windows Operating system is genuine or not. If you fail to do so, messages like:"Windows Not Genuine"  would often appear on your screen or the black desktop background saying your windows is not genuine.

Sometimes people choose to reformat there computer to avoid this nuisance, however there is an easier way to address this. 

First of all, and this is the most important step, if you do not own an original Windows OS (which means it is a duplicate) you need to turn off the automatic update. Before you connect your computer to the internet, be sure to do this first. Automatic update let your computer automatically download and instal Windows update to your system. And also automatically detects if your computer's OS is genuine or not. Turning this off would save you from the problem of being detected as not genuine.

Second, if the black desktop background saying your computer is not genuine. You need to download this application: Remove WAT 2.2.6. It is a very useful tool that can crack Windows 7 series operating system. After using this, you can remove the not genuine and failed activation notices. To go to the download page, just click the link Remove WAT .

WINDOWS NOT GENUINE --- FIX IT WITH REMOVE WAT 2.2.6

WINDOWS NOT GENUINE - - - FIX WITH REMOVE WAT 2.2.6

Remove WAT is a tool that creates a crack and fix your Windows 7 problem regarding activation and being not genuine. It is easy to use and free to download.

Before your install this program, be sure to turn off your anti virus first. Programs like this are deemed as virus by Anti Virus so you better turn it of first.

Second just install it and click Remove WAT, the computer will ask to or will automatically restart.

Download REMOVE WAT

CREATING SYSTEM RESTORE POINT

 CREATING SYSTEM RESTORE POINT

It is important to create a system restore point from time to time so that when certain issues occurs in your computer and the System Restore program is needed, an available “point’ or date can be chosen as to when you would like your Windows System to be Restore.  To be able to create a system restore point, just follow the instructions below.

 

1.      Navigate to the Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools program group and choose System Restore.

2.      Choose the Create a System Restore Point radio button and then click Next >.

3.      Name the Restore Point, it is on your discretion what to name it but it is more advisable to use words that will help you remember this restore point.

4.      Click Next >. It will take a few minutes for the Restore Point to be created.

5.      After a while, the created system restore point will appear which will come in handy in times you use the System Restore utility.

How to Use System Restore in Windows XP

 USING SYSTEM RESTORE ON WINDOWS XP

The System Restore utility in Windows XP is an extremely valuable tool to help solve major problems in the system caused by with the Windows Registry and device drivers. Sometimes a virus deletes an important file. When a restore point is created, a current copy of these and other important files in Windows XP are saved and can be restored using System Restore. To create a System restore point, click this link “SYSTEM RESTORE POINT”

To use System Restore just follow the instructions below.

1. Navigate to the Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools program group and choose System Restore.
2. Choose the Restore my computer to an earlier time radio button and then click Next >.
3. Choose an available date on the calendar on the left. The only available dates are those when a restore point was used. Choose a specific restore point on the right.
4. Click Next >.
5. Click Next > on the Confirm Restore Point Selection window to begin the System Restore. Windows needs to shut down to complete the process. Remember, only system files can be restored.
6. System Restore will now restore Windows XP to the state that was recorded in the restore point you chose in Step 4.
7. Immediately after logging in after the reboot, you should see the Restoration Complete window.
8. Click OK. Windows XP will now continue to start.
9. Check to see if whatever Windows XP problem you were troubleshooting has been corrected by this System Restore. If the problem was not  solved, try another restore point until it is solved.

Screen Turns Blue When Turned On (Blue Screen of Death)

One of the common problems computers and laptops encounter is when the screen turns blue or more commonly know as the. Usually it is a hardware problem. To be able to address this, the tips below can help you ion dealing this problem.
"BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH"

1. The most important Blue Screen of Death troubleshooting step you can take is to ask yourself what you just did.
   Did you just install a new program or a piece of hardware, update a driver, install an update, etc.? If so, there's a very good chance that the change you made caused the BSOD.
   Undo the change you made and test again for the STOP Error. Depending on what change you made, some solutions might include:
   
   • Startup using Last Known Good Configuration to undo recent registry and driver changes.
   • Use System Restore to undo recent system changes.
   • Roll Back device driver to version prior to your driver update.
2. Verify that a minimum amount of free space is available on your Windows partition. Blue Screens of Death and other serious issues, like data corruption, can occur if there's not enough free space on your primary partition used for the Windows operating system.
   Note: Microsoft recommends that you maintain at least 100MB of free space but I regularly see problems with free space that low. I usually advise Windows users to keep at least 15% of a drive's capacity free at all times.
   
3. Scan your computer for viruses. Some viruses can cause a Blue Screen of Death, especially ones that infect the master boot record (MBR) or boot sector.
   Important: Make sure your virus scanning software is completely up to date and that it's configured to scan the MBR and boot sector.
   
4. Apply all available Windows service packs and other updates. Microsoft regularly releases patches and service packs for their operating systems that may contain fixes for the cause of your BSOD.
   
5. Update drivers for your hardware. Most Blue Screens of Death are hardware or driver related so updated drivers could fix the cause of the STOP error.
   
6. Check the System and Application logs in Event Viewer (7/Vista | XP) for errors or warnings that might provide more clues on the cause of the BSOD.
   
7. Return hardware settings to default in Device Manager. Unless you have a specific reason to do so, the system resources that an individual piece of hardware is configured to use in Device Manager should be set to default. Non-default hardware settings have been known to cause a Blue Screen of Death.
   
8. Return BIOS settings to their default levels. An overclocked or misconfigured BIOS can cause all sorts of random issues, including BSODs.
   Note: If you've made several customizations to your BIOS settings and don't wish to load the default ones then at least try returning clock speed, voltage settings, and BIOS memory options to their default settings and see if that fixes the STOP error.
   
9. Make sure all internal cables, cards, and other components are installed and seated properly. Hardware that's not firmly in place can cause a Blue Screen of Death so try reseating the following and then test for the STOP message again:
   
   • Reseat all internal data and power cables
   • Reseat the memory modules
   • Reseat any expansion cards
10. Perform diagnostic tests on all hardware you're able to test. It's highly likely that the root cause of any given Blue Screen of Death is a failing piece of hardware:
    
    • Test your system memory
    • Test your hard disk drive
    If a test fails, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible.
    
11. Update your BIOS. In some situations, and outdated BIOS could cause a Blue Screen of Death due to certain incompatibilities.
    
12. Start your PC with essential hardware only. A useful troubleshooting step in many situations, including BSOD issues, is to start your computer with the minimum hardware necessary to run the operating system. If your computer starts successfully it proves that one of the removed hardware devices was the cause of the STOP message.
    Tip: Typically, the only necessary hardware for starting your PC through to the operating system includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, primary hard drive, keyboard, video card, and monitor.
    

Laptop Screen Turns White When Turned On (White Screen of Death)

Does your laptop turned white screen (LCD screen turns white) when turned on? I had encountered the same problem just months ago and concluded one thing why this happens. "THE WHITE SCREEN OF DEATH" in which this problem is commonly called appears to be an LCD monitor problem.

The reasons on why these happens is:

1. Loose cable between video cable and LCD screen.
     - This can be solved by opening your laptop. Just a heads up, if you are not confident in your skills regarding this then it is advisable that you ask the services of a technician. Opening your laptop can be very tricky and disastrous.
        Once you open your lapto, look for the cable that attaches the lcd to the motherboard. Look if the cable is broken or just loose. if loos, just readjust the connection. Replace the screws then turn it on.

2. Broken LCD
    - To confirm that your lcd is broken, you must first have another monitor. Get the monitor from your desktop. Then  attach the cable to input of your laptop, usually this is colored blue, the one where you attach the cable when you are using the projector. If your desktop screen appears in the other monitor and well then  that means your lcd is broken and needs to be replaced.

Laptop Screen is Always Black When Turned On (The Black Screen of Death)

When you turned on your laptop, only black screen appears. This had been a common problem specially for laptop users and been commonly know as the "BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH". There are other two types which is the white screen and blue screen which will be answered in different post.

Now regarding to your problem with this, I suggest you try the following procedures. Usually it is a software problem in which in case a virus had affected your system that's why it won't boot. The more problem is when it is a hardware one since laptop parts are much expensive than the desktop ones.

Computer is not booting properly

Although you may not be able to see anything on the screen, listen to the laptop and make sure it sounds as if the computer is booting. If it does not seem to be booting properly or it sounds different follow the steps in the link below before trying any of the other steps on this page.

Brightness is set low or power setting

If the picture is partially visible often it is only the laptops brightness that is set low or a power setting is decreasing the brightness. Make sure your laptop is not in a power saving setting by plugging the laptop into the wall. Next, try increasing the brightness on your laptop to verify it is not the brightness causing your issue.

Try external display

Verify there is not an issue with the laptop video adapter by connecting a monitor or other display to the laptop. If the external display works fine, it's an issue with your laptop display.

 

If an external monitor is also not working with the laptop and you've read through the above link, the internal video adapter or cable is defective and not the display.

Other hardware issue

If after following the above steps, the laptop still has a black or blank screen your laptop has a hardware issue. Below are the most common hardware failures.

1. Loose or disconnected cable
2. Bad LCD power inverter.
3. Bad CCFL or backlight.
4. Bad LCD.

If this is the problem, I suggest you contact your supplier for technical support.

Computer Won't Start: Faulty Motherboard

Check Your Motherboard:

1. Remove every connection and component from your motherboard except for the power, front panel, CPU assembly, RAM and graphics card, switch it on.
2. If you have more than one stick of RAM test them one at a time.
3. If this works then reconnect your other devices (Switch it off first!) one by one until you find out which one is causing the problem.
4. If your hear sounds of the disk starting, but nothing ever happens on the screen, the BIOS might be corrupted. That can happen when you try to flash it with a newer version, or if an ugly virus flashes it with garbage. If so, the BIOS needs to be reloaded correctly, or the chip replaced. Note: Not all computers have their BIOS in a flashable EPROM, so this might or might not apply.
5. If the board makes a sequence of loud beeps, there is a hardware error in one of the basic components. Two beeps mean 'no monitor found', four beeps 'no memory found', etc. (that list is not for sure). It is the BIOS reporting that it misses an elementary part to continue. Find out which part is broken (or really missing), and replace it.