Troubleshooting

Before calling the school computer technician for help, try some of these simple troubleshooting solutions for yourself. You may be surprised how easily some of your problems may be solved. Save the big and important problems for the computer technician. Remember to SHUT DOWN each day - then restart to the Novell screen EVERYDAY. This will help your computer to work more efficiently. · My computer won’t turn on o Check to see if the computer is plugged securely into an electrical outlet o Check to see if the outlet is working properly by trying something you know works o Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer, leave it out for 15 seconds, and plug it back in (Crazy? Yes, but especially helpful on the “Smile” computers) · My computer seems to be “frozen” o Try pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL at the same time o If Task Manager comes up, highlight the application that says “not responding” and click “end Task” o Still doesn’t work? Manually restart the computer. · My computer says something like “Invalid or Non-System Disk” when I turn it on o Eject any disks in the floppy drive and restart computer
 * COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS**
 * COMPUTER**

· Novell Login screen doesn’t appear when I turn on my Computer o Restart computer o Check with neighbors to see if they are having network problems o Look at the back of the computer where the network cable is connected. Is there a small //green// light next to where the cord plugs into the back of the computer? § Yes. Contact school computer technician § No. Check to see if one end is plugged securely into the wall and the other securely into the back of the computer. Restart computer and try again. · You are Unable to Log In o Make sure your username and password is typed correctly o Make sure “Caps Lock” is turned off and try retyping password o Make sure green lights are on the network card on the back of the computer
 * NETWORK**

· My internet connection is not working o Restart computer o Check with neighbors to see if they are having network problems · When I type a web address, it says “The page cannot be found” o Check the address you are trying to go to o Try going to a page you know works correctly to see if it works o The page may not be available (their server may be down) o Try it on another computer · My monitor won’t come on o Check to see if the monitor is plugged securely into an electrical outlet · My monitor’s power light is green/amber, but screen is black o Move mouse around and press a few keys on the keyboard o Turn off and back on o Check to see a cord from the monitor is plugged into the back of the computer o Check to see if the monitor brightness control has been turned down too far · My monitor is making a high pitch sound or a burning smell
 * INTERNET**
 * MONITOR/Screen**

· The mouse does not work o Restart computer o Still Doesn’t Work? Turn off computer o Unplug mouse from the back of the computer o Turn off and back on o Plug the mouse back in the same place o Turn on computer · The mouse is jerky or sticks o Unscrew the mouse ball cover o Blow inside the hole o Use a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to clean the rollers and ball · I am left-handed and the mouse bothers me o Click on Start / Settings (Windows 98) / Control Panel / Mouse o Choose the appropriate button configuration · My printer will not print o Make sure the printer cord is securely plugged in to the wall and to the computer o Make sure the printer is turned on o Make sure the printer is “online”, by clicking on Start / Settings (windows 98) / Printers and Faxes. Right Click on the printer you are trying to print to and make sure there is NOT a check next to “Use Printer Offline”. If there is, click on it to remove it o Try printing a test page § Turn printer and computer off for 20 seconds § Turn computer on then the printer § Click on Start / Settings (Windows 98) / Printers and Faxes § Right click on the printer you are trying to print to and click on properties § In the bottom right corner of the box that appears, click Print Test Page § If it prints, try printing your file again · My printer is printing “garbage” o Turn printer off o Right click on the small printer icon in the bottom right corner of the screen and click on the name of the printer o If there are any print jobs in there, right click on each one with your mouse and choose “cancel” o Shut down computer o Turn Computer on, then the printer, then try to print again · I have a paper jam o Try turning the printer off and on to see if it will clear the paper out o Press and hold the button that looks like a sheet of paper to see if it will clear it out o GENTLY and SLOWLY pull the paper out of the printer · The lights on my printer are flashing o Check for a paper jam o Replace your ink cartridge · My printer is making a loud clanging noise o Sorry, no solution here. Deal with it until it completely quits and replace printer
 * MOUSE**
 * PRINTER**