I want you to feel comfortable and confident in dealing with a lot of your computer conditions. But there is a point when you should NOT try to do it yourself. That point is where you don\u2019t feel comfortable, and when there is too much to lose.<\/p>\n
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Most computer problems that people have are NOT hardware related, they\u2019re software or operating system related, and that\u2019s good news\u2014as long as you make backups. Yes, we\u2019ll talk about that too. And once you know that you have all your precious pictures backed up, and all your installation files are in places where you can install your programs again if you need to, there\u2019s not much you can do to permanently damage the machine, unless you talk it into jumping off a table.<\/p>\n
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First, do a reboot. Lots of stuff just goes away at a reboot. If that didn\u2019t solve the problem, do a full shut down,disconnect the power cable at both ends (the computer and the plug) and reconnect. This makes sure that it is fully plugged in, so when the tech asks, you can say you\u2019ve verified it. Next check all the other cables, even if you don\u2019t think they\u2019re loose, and even if you don\u2019t think they are important to the problem. Disconnect each one (except the power) and reconnect. If that hasn\u2019t solved the problem, and if you have reached a point where you just don\u2019t want to fool with it anymore, or where you really don\u2019t know if you\u2019re up to the task, by all means, call a pro. There really are people who love this stuff; I\u2019m one of them. \u00a0Here\u2019s what that pro will want to know: The type of machine: desktop or laptop. Manufacturer, model. Operating system. \u00a0He\u2019s going to want to know what troubleshooting steps you have tried, and that is where you will tell him you have rebooted and checked all the cables. \u00a0Be as clear as you can about the issue, and remember that he hasn\u2019t seen it happen on your machine. Above all, remember, he\u2019s trying to help, he\u2019s not purposely trying to make you feel stupid. \u00a0We often forget that this stuff has a vocabulary all its own and not everyone has studied the dictionary.<\/p>\n
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If your machine needs hands-on tech support, be clear about getting your files backed up before he starts work. That\u2019s getting to be standard practice, but ask anyway.<\/p>\n
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Most important, as with any service person, if you don\u2019t feel comfortable, and if you don\u2019t feel confident in his ability, you don\u2019t have to use that one; find another one. And remember, techs are human, and they will need you to communicate with them as clearly as possible, and if you can do that, the two of you can fix your computer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I want you to feel comfortable and confident in dealing with a lot of your computer conditions. But there is a point when you should NOT try to do it yourself. That point is where you don\u2019t feel comfortable, and when there is too much to lose. Most computer problems that people have are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,9],"tags":[49,364,394,399,50,408,108,445,454,461,111,585,623,657,691,715,750,798,807,863,867,934,961,977,1006,1033,1041],"class_list":["post-1316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary-and-consideration","category-basics","tag-backup","tag-cable","tag-comfort","tag-communication","tag-computer","tag-confident","tag-damage","tag-data-loss","tag-desktop","tag-dictionary","tag-disconnect","tag-hardware","tag-installation","tag-laptop","tag-manufacturer","tag-model","tag-operating-system","tag-plug","tag-power","tag-reboot","tag-reconnect","tag-software","tag-support","tag-technician","tag-troubleshooting","tag-verify","tag-vocabulary"],"yoast_head":"\n