How To Identify Computer Problems (2024)

Software and Hardware Problems

When your laptop or computer acts up you need to specify the issue as best as you can. An accurate diagnosis of the problem will help you to perform effective troubleshooting. If you know the cause of the problem you’ll be in a better position to decide whether you can fix the problem on your own or you have to contact tech support or a certified computer technician.

All computer problems usually fall into 2 categories:

  1. Software problems
  2. Hardware problems

The cause of some computer malfunctions could be from either camp, but the first step is always to identify what you are dealing with. Computer hardware problems are easier to specify, but their repair cost is more than software glitches. Software problems, though harder to detect, usually cost less to fix or repair.

Hardware Problems

Hardware problems are related to the physical components of the computer system. For instance, if there’s nothing on the screen or display, the system simply refuses to power on, the LCD displays odd colors, or the keyboard or the keys doesn’t work.

How to identify and solve hardware problems?

  • Check that your computer is plugged into a working power outlet
  • Check that everything is turned on.
  • If anything seems to not working properly, make sure the brightness is up or the volume is unmuted depending on what you are having issues with or the switch is in the appropriate position.
  • Check that keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, etc are plugged into your device. Try a different port to check if it is a port issue or the device is damaged. Make sure that wireless hardware has a fully charged battery.

Software Problems

Software-related problems usually appear after the startup process. If some applications or software does not work properly or the operating system is unresponsive it is simply a software issue.

How to identify and solve software problems?

  • Try restarting your computer
  • Make sure your all programs are updated
  • Your malware or antivirus software should be running
  • If your computer is having problems after you installed a new application or software, remove that program and try reinstalling it

5 common computer problems:

How to tell if they are hardware or software?

Most computer problems are software-related but some are definitely hardware-related problems. The below list of the 5 most common problems. Knowing where to start troubleshooting can save a lot of time.

1. Computer problem – The computeris slow

Software

It may be malware, too many startup items (Windows), or an accumulation of temporary files.

Hardware

It may be that the hard drive is fragmented or is beginning to fail, with insufficient RAM or an old CPU.

2. Computer problem – The computer keeps restarting

Software

It may be a problem with the automatic update of the operating system, adware, viruses, or other malicious software.

Hardware

It may be a graphics card, motherboard, or network card driver.

3. Computer problem – The keyboard, mouse, printer, or other peripheral devices are not working properly

Software

It may be a driver problem.

Hardware

It may be a computer port problem or a peripheral component problem.

4. Computer problem – Application command does not work

Software

If the software happens only in one application.

Hardware

Hardware (if it occurs in multiple applications).

5. Computer problem – Internet speed is slow

Software

It may be that the background application is consuming bandwidth.

Hardware

It may be a hard drive failure.


You are lucky if your problem is a software problem.

  • If it is a desktop application, you can run the repair utility or uninstall and reinstall it.
  • If it is a cloud application, log out and restart it.
  • To avoid problems, please keep the software updated.
  • In order to keep your computer clean and in good condition, please pay attention to abnormal conditions so that you can troubleshoot before daily work.
  • If you have a new computer and you are already experiencing problems, please exchange it as soon as possible.

Desktop common problems of common computer failures and troubleshooting methods

PCs and laptops have become indispensable tools in the modern era. In the process of use, more or fewer failures of this kind will occur.

As aforementioned, the problems that arise in our use of computers can be divided into two categories: hardware problems and software problems.When we deal with computer problems, we generally observe the following principles: first soft and then hard, that is, eliminate software problems first, and then eliminate hardware problems.

Desktop FAQ

1. When the window is maximized, the taskbar is covered and not automatically hidden. What’s the matter?

Solution:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar, click “Properties” in the pop-up menu,
  2. Then select the following two options in the pop-up “Taskbar and Start Menu Properties” dialog box:

“Lock your taskbar” and “Keep it in front of other windows”

2. Where is the size of the IE window set?

Solution:

First close all IE windows; open only one IE window; maximize this window; close it; OK, the default is to maximize the future, you can also use the mouse to directly drag the IE window to the largest or smallest)

3. There is no icon on the desktop, but there is a start taskbar.

Solution:

  1. Right-click on the desktop—->Arrange icons—->Show desktop icons to select it!
  2. Right-click on the desktop—->Properties—->Desktop (tab)—->Customize the desktop—>Check the required display items and confirm the application!

4. The desktop IE icon is missing (there is no IE option for customizing the desktop on the desktop)

Solution:

Right-click on My Computer -> Explorer -> Select “Desktop” on the left side of the window -> Drag the IE icon here to the desktop.

5. The quick launch icon in the taskbar is missing?

Solution:

Right-click the taskbar—toolbar—quick start—tick.

The above are the most common problems the Same Day Geek team encountered during the repair process, we hope it will be helpful to you.

You may find online help if you want to fix the computer problems yourself but be very cautious about complicated computer issues of your computer you are not familiar with. Inexperienced computer users can unintentionally cause more problems when trying to fix a computer without the training and knowledge it may require.

While trying to locate the problem with your computer, it is good to take notes. Note down what your computer is doing or not doing and note specific error codes that may come up. This will make the repairing easier if you find that you need to hand off your computer to a Certified Computer Repair Technician.

How To Identify Computer Problems (2024)

FAQs

How do you identify computer problems? ›

Signs of a hardware issue
  1. Slow downloads.
  2. 'Blue screen of death' or equivalent.
  3. Corrupt files.
  4. Slow access to files.
  5. Sudden computer shut-off.
  6. Graphics errors (for example, computer screen is jumbled)
  7. Unusual noises.

How do you identify and resolve a computer problem? ›

If your computer is slow, not starting, or throwing errors, there are simple steps you can take to diagnose the problem. Use Task Manager to find apps consuming too many resources, run a malware scan, check Device Manager, and listen for hardware problems.

What is the process of figuring out how to solve a computer problem? ›

The problem solving methodology using a computer is a process that evolves on the following steps:
  1. Formulate the problem;
  2. Formalize the problem;
  3. Develop an algorithm that solves the problem;
  4. Program the algorithm (i.e., encode the algorithm as a valid program of a programming language available on the computer);

What is the first step in identifying a problem with the computer system? ›

Always check the cables: If you're having trouble with a specific piece of computer hardware, such as your monitor or keyboard, an easy first step is to check all related cables to make sure they're properly connected.

What is basic troubleshooting? ›

Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to solving a problem. The goal of troubleshooting is to determine why something does not work as expected and explain how to resolve the problem. The first step in the troubleshooting process is to describe the problem completely.

What are five common problems that a computer may have? ›

7 Most Common Computer Problems
  • Powering Issues. There are many reasons a computer that was previously working may fail to turn on. ...
  • Hardware Issues. Problematic Peripherals. ...
  • Software Issues. Malfunctioning OS. ...
  • Internet Connectivity Issues. ...
  • Data Loss Issues. ...
  • Malware Attacks. ...
  • Unrestricted Network Access.

How to identify a problem? ›

Identify the problem: State your problem as clearly as possible, and be specific about the situation. Include background, context, and symptoms of the issue when identifying the problem. Form a hypothesis: Hypothesize what is causing or maintaining the conditions around the problem. Try to really get to the root cause.

How do you identify and solve software problems? ›

Eleven Tips for Troubleshooting Software
  1. Free up RAM by closing other open programs. ...
  2. Restart the software. ...
  3. Shut down and restart your computer. ...
  4. Use the Internet to find help. ...
  5. Undo any recent hardware or software changes. ...
  6. Uninstall the software, then reinstall it. ...
  7. Look for software patches. ...
  8. Scan for viruses and malware.

What are the 7 steps to problem-solving in computer? ›

  • Step 1: Work Example By Hand.
  • Step 2: Write Down What You Did.
  • Step 3: Find Patterns.
  • Step 4: Check By Hand.
  • Step 5: Translate To Code.
  • Step 6: Run Test Cases.
  • Step 7: Debug Failed Test Cases.
Jan 2, 2023

How do I figure out what's wrong with my PC? ›

Open the Start menu, search for performance monitor, and select the Best Match. For a quick overview of your system's hardware, use the left-hand panel to navigate to Reports > System > System Diagnostics > [Computer Name]. You may have to wait a few seconds while the app collects data.

How to find out what hardware is failing? ›

Depending on the type of hardware that is failing, you may observe different symptoms such as blue screen of death (BSOD) or other system errors, beeping sounds or flashing lights, overheating or fan noise, slow booting or loading, random restarts or shutdowns, distorted graphics or sound, missing or corrupted files, ...

How do I run a full health check on my computer? ›

You probably already have the PC Health Check app installed on your Windows PC or laptop. Go to your search bar and start typing 'PC Health Check. ' If you have the app, then click on it or select Open. If you do not have the app installed on your device, you can download it from Microsoft.

What is the most popular tool for diagnosing your computer problem? ›

1 Device Manager. One of the first tools you should use when troubleshooting hardware issues is the Device Manager. This is a built-in Windows utility that lets you view and manage the devices connected to your computer, such as keyboards, mice, printers, monitors, and more.

What is used to diagnose computer problems? ›

Virus scanners and spyware detectors are some of the most important tools available for troubleshooting and diagnosis of computer problems.

How do you know if a computer is bad? ›

Sudden reboots or shutdowns

If your computer has been suddenly shutting down or rebooting for no reason then your computer is probably beginning to fail. Random shutdowns or reboots can happen when there is a critical error that is usually due to a hardware failure or corrupted memory.

What are the three common areas of computer problems? ›

7 Most Common Computer Problems
  • Powering Issues. There are many reasons a computer that was previously working may fail to turn on. ...
  • Hardware Issues. Problematic Peripherals. ...
  • Software Issues. Malfunctioning OS. ...
  • Internet Connectivity Issues. ...
  • Data Loss Issues. ...
  • Malware Attacks. ...
  • Unrestricted Network Access.

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