How To Troubleshoot A PC

Knowing how to troubleshoot a PC is an essential part of computer maintenance to ensure that your computer delivers the utmost performance that you need and want. But how do you troubleshoot a PC? There are many ways, though mostly it depends on the issue.

1. Slow PC. If your PC is running slowly, there may be something hogging all of the processing power from your CPU. The first thing you should do is run your anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. Usually a slow PC is an indicator of the system being infected by a virus or malware. Another cause is if you have too many programs and not enough hard drive space or not enough memory. These are easy fixes, however they will cost you money in one form or another, with the purchase of either another hard drive or higher capable memory.
2. Video Issues. Video issues happen frequently, especially if you play video games. The telltale signs of video issues can range from your display not displaying correctly to a lost color interface (i.e. your screen only shows the color blue). You may also hear a series of beeps when you turn your computer on, indicating the system warning you about a video problem. To troubleshoot this, first switch out computer monitors to ensure that there is nothing wrong with the monitor itself. If the monitor is not the issue, it may be time for another video card. As more graphic intense games and videos come out, having a card that can withstand these is important.
3. Sound issues. Sounds issues are a bit easier to troubleshoot. If you aren't getting any sound from speakers, make sure that your speakers are set up correctly. Make sure the cord is plugged into the correct outlet on the back of your computer (usually it's the green port). If that is correct, make sure the sound is on and the speakers are working correctly. Also check that your computer's sound is set up to output sound from the speakers and not the system. Lastly, make sure that your connection is working. By this, check to ensure that the onboard is functioning or that the sound card is working. If the onboard is faulty, just purchase an external card; if it's the card purchase another.
4. Internet issues. Internet issues can sometimes be trouble to pinpoint. The first thing you should check is that you are indeed connected, either by an ethernet cable form your computer to the modem or the wireless is turned on. Make sure all the lights on the modem or router are lit. For the modem, make sure that the power and cable lights are lighting up. If the power isn't lit, make sure the modem is plugged in. If cable isn't lit, make sure that cable cord is securely attached. Giving a call to your ISP is helpful, especially in cases of extreme weather, like rain or heat. They may be experiencing an outage. If that doesn't solve the issue, make sure that your ethernet or wireless connection/card is working properly.
5. PC issues. if in the case where your computer doesn't power on, check to see if anything is unseated or not connected properly. In the case where you hear something, but lights aren't on, you may be in need of another power supply. A power supply is what powers on your computer. Make sure you choose the proper supply, as the wrong can damage your computer fully. In extreme cases, the motherboard maybe faulty, which may require you to purchase another. If able, make sure to do the research beforehand so you can purchase the right equipment.

Troubleshooting a PC can be time consuming if you don't know what's wrong. Most issues can be easily solved with the tips above, however sometimes you may need an extra pair of hands or eyes to troubleshoot a PC. If you don't feel comfortable working on the issue yourself, enlist a friend or a computer technician that can help. How you troubleshoot a PC is entirely based upon issues you are having and it's best to do research before taking on large issues. When in doubt, refer to someone more knowledgeable.