What do you do when you have computer problems?

[Barb D]

I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time fixing and recovering from computer problems, including too many hours this weekend. I'm not a hardware expert, but I am a programmer and at least have a basic knowledge of what I'm doing. DH (who is clueless about computers) wonders what on earth is taking so long.

So what do YOU do when you have a hardware or software or networking problem? Fix it quickly and efficiently? Struggle with it for hours and eventually fix it? Just suffer with the problems? Hire someone to fix it? Buy a new computer? Am I the only one who struggles like this?

 

[N.Bailey]

I voted Fix it quickly and efficiently, but if the truth be told, it's really a combination of Fix it quickly and efficiently AND Struggle for hours. I always get it fixed though!! If nothing else works, I'll simply reformat and reinstall everything from scratch.

 

[Barb D]

If nothing else works, I'll simply reformat and reinstall everything from scratch.

That's what I'm about to do. I got rid of a virus and thought I'd solved my problem, but the problem is back. I've wasted way too much time on this. Thank goodness for backups!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Usually am able to fix myself. Most problems would occur from viruses and that, I feel I am well protected, never have had to deal with that. A call to tech support is sometimes in order, that works well too. I had a CD drive and a hard drive conk out, one on laptop and one on desktop, service replaced within a day or two. Worst one was just buying a new one, Norton had so wreaked havoc and that PC was several years old.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, I guess I will have to choose coerce someone to fix it. The problems usually arise however, from DH deciding to add something to the computer that breaks something else--or the whole darn thing. He is now working under the promise of not changing it again. We will see how long that lasts. I must say though, that he has always gotten it to work again.

 

[N.Bailey]

That's what I'm about to do. I got rid of a virus and thought I'd solved my problem, but the problem is back. I've wasted way too much time on this. Thank goodness for backups!

My 15 year old son recently took their computer out on sites that a 15 year old boy should not be visiting (He tried lying, but he realized real fast that wasn't going to work) and he got a Trojan of some type on it. I've run a virus check like 5 X on it, Adaware and Spybot about the same amount of times and every time it reboots, it's back again. Now, this is not my computer, so I'm not as familiar with it, but I've concluded that I have to reformat and reinstall everything. I'm just procrastinating as long as I can. LOL

I do worry because my daughter types a lot of her homework assignments up on it and emails them to my computer to print them out. I'm just fearful that she'll send it to my computer too.

I'm going to look into getting some sort of program that bans those types of sites. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Taylor]

I hand the computer to one of the IT guys that work for me and say "Fix it".

 

[Sparx]

There are 5 of us in the house. I can fix the adverage problem(internet disconnecting, low ram, sluggish, spyware, addware). My uncle can fix the harder ones(installing new things, getting it back into safe mode, spyware, addware), my mom can fix some of them(internet stuff, spyware, addware), and my grandma and stepdad...well. I don't think I've ever seen them fix one . we can all fix them pretty fast.

 

[mickman1962]

I'm the guy everyone gives their computer to to fix. Right now I have 1 at home (nephews GF) going to wife's friends boyfriends tonight for his and have another nephews printer on my bench. Not a week goes by that I don't fix something.

 

[LK03]

I first try the website of the manufacturer and go to discussion boards on those sites to see if anyone else is having a similar problem. Chances are someone is and they have posted about how they fixed it. If that does not work I google, if after several hours of not being able to fix the problem, I backup all my important things and reformat the computer.

 

[crazelion]

I have 6 computers to fix when I get well from being sick. On top that everyone is stilll calling fix there computer.


I will fix it my spare time. Unless it mind and i can't get on the internet than there's a problem.

I usually can fix most problems myself. If all else fails than I have to google the problem.

 

[icebrat001]

I call my best friend and he fixes it for me, for free! We had a problem at work the other day and I called him in, he fixed it and then I wrote him a company check for a whole lotta money. It's a lot easier to call someone that deal with the stress of trying to figure it our yourself.

I'm pretty good at hardware and software issues, but I am an idiot when it comes to networking.

 

[oogieboogie]

I can usually fix the problems myself and if not, I'll google the solution or go to some of the tech forums I have bookmarked and search the solution.

80% of the time the fix is simple, quick and efficiently done. 20% of the time I run around for hours, but eventually it does get fixed.

The only problem with having self-built computers is that I'm the buyer, seller, customer and tech support all in one.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I'm still struggling to fix my laptop. Usually I can get someone to fix it but right now everyone is busy.

 

[christineann]

Ask a teenager for help.

 

[georgina]

Call DH. Or if he's not around, DD, but she can't always help. I'm going to have major computer problems if anything ever happens to him.

 

[tmt martins]

With most problems in XP is that people don't turn off the RESTORE when they (think) they delete a trojon or viruse .The hackers know this so when you do a restart it looks back into those saved files and starts all over again.

 

[BrinxFam]

DH is a network tech so I leave it up to him....doesn't take long until he has it all fixed up. Thank goodness! Without him I would have no computer!

 

[ilovepcot]

Oh, that's easy! Call Fed-X and have them deliver it to my stepson. He redoes everything and installs all the newest programs etc. He's the best!

 

[jfulcer]

Usually am able to fix myself. Most problems would occur from viruses and that, I feel I am well protected, never have had to deal with that. A call to tech support is sometimes in order, that works well too. I had a CD drive and a hard drive conk out, one on laptop and one on desktop, service replaced within a day or two. Worst one was just buying a new one, Norton had so wreaked havoc and that PC was several years old.

Dan just PMs me about everyone else's problems, his he takes care of himself for the most part.

I'm the go-to guy for quite a number of friends and family.