I’ve been using computers for years about 7 years, in these I’ve spent 1 year with Windows ME, 4 years with Windows XP, and have recently migrated to Linux (it’s been two years now)… In those long years, I have been through those situations where you really need to finish some work on the computer but it won’t work…Gosh.. those where truly depressing times…

OK. I admit it’s not a very long time -it’s not 30 years!- but through that I have faced many things, graphic card issues, missing system files, viruses wiping system or important files to hard disk crashing -due to over heat- and the CPU fan as well..

so I thought I want to share the knowledge I have gained in these years.. here are some tips:

notice I have put these instructions based on the scenario that you started your computer and it didn’t start..

  1. don’t panic or get aggressive…

to do that you need to turn off the computer/laptop (yes .. turn off electricity).. WHY?

Because there are those people who will smash any thing in front of them in this situation, I heard about it with small gadgets -telephone, Mp3/4 players- but you don’t seriously want your LCD screen getting smashed! What about that poor mouse and keyboard, or even worse your system unit..

So my advice power off, or don’t… just leave the room and go cool off somewhere and then come back.. take enough time…

  1. identify the problem.. IS it HARDWARE or SOFTWARE.. and try to do something about it..

  1. a. start the computer again .. if it works it’s your lucky day!..

if it doesn’t I am sure you will find a nice ERROR message appearing… if so.. try to analyze it.. is it a hardware error or a software error..

  1. most hardware errors will prevent the computer from even starting… I mean it is usually a black screen with a white writing.. but when it’s the graphic card, the computer won’t load that screen or will shut off when reaching the loading Windows/Linux screen…. and sorry that is not my line of expertise, but if you can handle it open the system unit but I prefer if you take it to a professional…

  1. Now the easy most faced issue the software… you will be faced with one of two scenarios either the black screen with white writing of a missing system file or the computer working but to slow and then a message appears which makes it impossible to access anything in your desktop.. I think most will agree that the second has more hope, just wait until the cursed message appears and don’t ever press O.K.. just start the task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete) and start explorer ( type explore.exe or you can click browse and right click on a folder and choose explore) either way move your files to a safe drive (D:/ or E:/ or an external) but it’s not recommended as it will allow copying the virus to the new partition or hard disk..

  2. but you can google the message and find the solution .. which has always worked for me..

  1. the second option I propose is using a Linux.. (Linux is virus-free until now)… if you need your files use UBUNTU, go live and with it’s partitioner you can put your files in a partition and format the rest…

But, I recently came across a problem using Windows Vista..where you can’t use this option but luckily I survived… SEE THIS!