Computer troubleshooting is a dreadful word for most of the users. This is a wide range issue, which may be critical or simple The problem cab be related with the peripheral devices such as associated printer, scanner or other. The actual reason behind writing on computer support is to give simple solution to complex issue.
Startup Issue
Start up is the most common issue in which the user can't get the computer started or it might be starting after some delay. You may be getting error soon after you turn on the computer and screen might be appearing black or blue in extreme condition. All these issues are related to BIOS setting. Hence to do computer troubleshooting you must be very familiar with BIOS settings. You need to turn on the computer and press F8 button. You will be navigated to "Advanced Boot Options" window, which lists several available options. Use your keyboard to select "Last Known Good Configuration," and press "Enter." Now the computer will restart and you will get the registry settings and device drivers which were active when your system was working fine.
However, if you get this kind of issue continuously there is some virus attack and I'll recommend installing any latest Antivirus program.
Slow Performance
There can be plenty of reason for the slow per of your computer. To do the computer optimization you need to, check your start up programs and also the temporary files need to be deleted because they consume unnecessary space of your hard disk. The startup program can be managed from the control panel "Add or Remove" option.
Registry Issue
Computer troubleshooting is very critical in case of any registry issue. So, before making any changes in your Windows registry you must take backup of your computer data. Alternatively some online programs are available that can fix any kind of registry issue. The most common tool for Windows is Cleaner. This provide the safest and easiest way to fix registry problems.
Computer troubleshooting
What to do with Those Old Computer Parts
Recycling Computers, Monitors, Parts
Here in the Valley we have Allied Waste located in Albany, and they will take most of the computers and electronic stuff. They get a little unhappy if you bring in a truckload, but a few parts or a PC & monitor are fine. Just drive over to their site and you can drop it off in Albany, near the Train Yards. Allied Waste is located at - 1214 SE Montgomery St, Albany OR, 541-928-2551.
Staples has a program now that you drop off your electronics and they bag it up and send it to a recycler. There is no charge for mice, keyboards and smaller stuff, and they charge $10 for the larger stuff (you will have to check with them what they consider larger!)
Staples will also give you $3 Staples Rewards back towards ink purchase for recycling printer ink cartridges. Not bad, considering many people just throw them out. Every buck saved helps!
Laptops & Notebooks
Laptops have many special considerations, including the battery and the LCD monitor. Both of these things are very bad for the environment, and should be recycled. Sometimes people are willing to pay for a broken laptop, if there are some good parts on it. The problem is, usually when someone is getting rid of a laptop, it is usually really broken bad, or just an old dog that is not worth anything.
Here is a website with more information on good recycling practices for computers and electronics. They also list the manufacturers & retailers and their different programs.
How to deal with the Hard Drive and your Personal Info
With any computer that has a hard drive, the hard drive contains your personal information, even if you have deleted it. Many recovery programs can not only recover files that have been deleted, but even when the hard drive has been "erased" and reformatted! Special precautions have to be taken to remove data completely. Either the drive needs to be destroyed (think big Sledge hammer for you hulkamaniacs) or a special program is run to write 1s and 0s over the entire drive over and over erasing the data completely.
Batteries
You should not throw batteries of any kind in the trash. Watch, camera, computer and cell phone batteries are all bad for the environment and should be recycled. Radio Shack and staples both have great recycling program for batteries. That includes AA's to laptop batteries. Save up those AAs and turn them in next time you are out and about near one of these stores.
Software
There really is no good option for CDs and old floppies. Most old software is pretty useless, and so are the material they are on. They both contain plastic, and really are not recyclable. However, the CDs make for great bird deterrents in the garden or other weird stuff you can do with CDs!
See also
computer optimization
Printing to Public Computers
Windows Live One Care Help You
Will Your Device Work with Windows 7
