Everyone who uses a personal computer faces a problem or issue at some point with the operation of the system. Occasionally, the problem can be fatal and result in data loss or an inoperable computer but a large percentage of the time the problem is something that can be fixed easily. Below is a general checklist of troubleshooting steps that you can use to aid in the diagnoses of some basic computer problems.

Monitor Not Working:

• Is the monitor plugged in and turned on?


• Cable between computer and monitor secure?


• Does the monitor work on another computer?


• Is the video card functioning? This can be test with another monitor.

Printer Not Working:

• Is the printer plugged in and turned on?


• Does the printer have enough ink?


• Cable between computer and printer secure?


• Is there paper loaded?


• Are the any objects (staples, paper clips or labels) stuck in the printer?


• Is the correct driver installed on the computer?


• Does a test page print properly?

Mouse Not Working:

• Plugged into the computer?


• If wireless, is the receiver plugged into the computer?


• If wireless, is the mouse charged? Or the batteries dead?


• Is there dust or dirt build-up on the roller ball?


• Are the proper drivers for the mouse installed?

Keyboard Not Working:

• Plugged into the computer?


• If wireless, is the receiver plugged into the computer?


• If wireless, is the keyboard charged? Or the batteries dead?


• Has anything been spilt into the keyboard?

Computer Not Booting:

• Computer plugged in?


• If plugged into a power strip (which it should be) is the power strip on and functioning?


• Does the power supply work? Should be able to hear and feel the fan.


• Is there hard drive activity?


• Is there a floppy drive in the computer that it may be trying to boot from>


• Has there been any new hardware installed?


• Any new software installed?