Basic Computer Troubleshooting & Tips

Computer/Monitor will not come on:

• CPU power cord plugged into the outlet and the CPU

• Monitor power cord plugged into the outlet and the monitor

• Monitor cable plugged into the CPU and making a good connection

• Surge protector plugged in and turned on

• The brightness and contrast buttons are where they should be

• LAPTOPS – check adapter and/or pop out battery and replace (sometimes works)

Screen is Rotated:

• Press and hold the Ctrl and Alt keys while pressing the Left, Right, or Down arrow to rotate the screen a different direction.

Mouse/keyboard problems:

• Check to see if the mouse is plugged correctly into the computer

• Check to see if the keyboard is plugged correctly into the computer

Frozen screen:

• Check to see if the mouse is plugged into the computer

• Check to see if the keyboard is plugged into the computer

• Try control-alt-delete to end the job or restart the computer

• Try holding the on/off switch in until it shuts down or unplug the CPU then restart

Network problems:

• Network cable plugged into the wall jack and the CPU and making a good connection

• User logging on correctly – user name and password

• Is the computer network cable plugged into a switch? If so, unplug the power to the switch, then plug back in. Make sure the lights start flashing, then try logging in to the computer again.

• If you are using a wireless network, are you connected - which network - BPSWifi or Guest??

• Some Laptops have a network switch - is it turned on?