- 1). Check the PC for any loose cables, connectors or power cords. A loose cable or connector can cause the PC to not start, since there is no electrical power being sent to the computer. Loose cables may also be the cause for non-functioning keyboards and monitors.
- 2). Check the power strip or surge protector, if you are using one. Make sure the device is turned on and working properly. If the PC is plugged directly to a power outlet, connect the PC to a different outlet and turn it on.
- 3). Make sure your monitor is turned on. When the monitor is off, it can lead people to think the rest of the PC is off, as well. If the power indicator light on the monitor is not on, press the power button to turn the device on.
- 1). Press "Alt + F4" to force-close a software program if it freezes up or stops working. If the program refuses to close, you may have to use the "Task Manager" to close the program or reboot the PC.
- 2). Hold "Ctrl + Alt + Del" to bring up the "Task Manager." Click the "Processes" tab, then scroll through the list to find the process name that represents the non-responsive program. Highlight the program and click "End Process." Click End Process again at the verification screen to force-close the selected program.
- 3). Restart the PC if it completely freezes or if an error page fills the entire screen. Some PCs may automatically restart after displaying an error page. Press the "Pause/Break" key to "hold" the error screen and write down the information displayed on the screen. You can use this information to search for more information and pinpoint the cause of the error. These causes can vary from an unstable program to a corrupted system driver.
- 1). Open the "Task Manager" to see what programs are running in the background and how many resources are being used. Programs that use a large amount of system memory and processor time may require updating or removal.
- 2). Check the amount of free space left on your PC's hard drive. A full hard drive can potentially reduce overall performance. Click on the "Start" icon and select "Computer." Highlight and right-click the hard drive, then select "Properties" from the drop-down menu. If your PC is dangerously low on free space, delete unneeded files and programs to reclaim hard-drive space.
- 3). Scan your PC with an antivirus program. These programs help detect viruses and malware that can infect your PC and cause it to run at reduced performance.
- 4). Run a disk checking utility to check the integrity of the actual disk drive. Such programs are also able to repair most forms of data corruption or damage that may occur over time.
- 5). Run a defragmentation program to improve hard drive performance by reducing drive seek times. Defragmentation rearranges data on the hard drive in a more orderly fashion, reducing the effort required for the hard drive to find and use a file. Note that "Solid State" hard drives do not require defragmentation, due to their internal architecture.
- 1). Check the Ethernet cables connected to the PC, router and modem. Make sure the cables are securely plugged in to these devices. Make sure the router and modem are plugged into a power outlet or power strip.
- 2). Observe the lights on the front or top of the router and modem. If there are any orange or red lights present, reboot the router or modem. Unplug the device from the power source and allow it to remain unplugged for 10 to 30 seconds. Plug the device back in and allow it to boot up. Open a new Web browser window and test your connection.
- 3). Ask others around you if they are having similar problems, especially if they are using the same Internet Service Provider. Service interruptions can cause connectivity issues that affect a wide area of customers.