Troubleshooting Computers

#Step 1
Identify the problem. Before knowing what needs to be done, you must know what is working properly and what isn't. It is also important to know whether anything has happened that might impact what isn't working (for instance, was something recently added to the system, was there a power spike or did somebody start pulling wires thinking they were trying to fix something?).

#Step 2

Analyze the problem. Once you've determined what isn't working, you can start looking for likely causes of the problem. When troubleshooting a home theater setup, are many things not working or is only one item giving you trouble?

#Step 3

Isolate or locate the problem. Using the analysis in the previous step, you can start eliminating possible trouble spots. For example, if your TV set turns on and the DVD player works fine but the cable or satellite picture doesn't show, you can assume the set is fine and start focusing on what isn't showing properly.

#Step 4

Diagnose the problem. Make sure that the equipment turns on, that all necessary wires are connected and properly seated. Check to make sure you have no unplugged power cords. You'd be surprised how often a problem is caused by something simply being turned off or unplugged.

#Step 5

Resolve the problem. Once you've figured out what isn't working right, fix it. If it's unplugged, plug it in. If something isn't turning on, use a different electric outlet to verify you don't have an electrical problem. If a cable line looks damaged, replace it.

#Step 6

Verify the repair. Once you think you've fixed the problem, make sure the problem is gone. Verify that your equipment is working properly. If all is well, you're done; if there is still a problem (or you've uncovered a new problem in the process) you'll need to start the process again from Step 1. If the trouble is beyond your skill level or all attempts to fix are unsuccessful, you may need to call a professional to fix it.