Computers… Oy!

Computers are the greatest technological creation ever, in some opinions. They solve countless equations in seconds, you can create images so real you swear it was a photograph. And they are capable of storing unbelievable amounts of data… When everything works right, that is. Most times, your computer won’t give you any issues. But there are times where things can go seriously wrong, and at the most inopportune times. Nothing can be more frustrating than a computer crash, especially when you are working on something important, whether it be uploading or downloading a file, to playing a video game. But, if you are prepared for when it does happen to you, then the experience can be a little less stressful.

The Top 5

1. Don’t Freak Out – The first thing you must do is keep a level  head. If you lose it and panic, then the problem is just going to seem much worse than it really, and you will cause yourself a lot of unneeded stress. Just because it’s a computer, and you’re inside, sitting down doesn’t always mean anything. It can be just as stressful as blowing out a tire on the freeway, and the spare being flat. Once you have a level head, then, and only then, are you ready to move on to the second step.
2. Try Restarting – Sometimes all your computer needs is a simple restart. Save whatever you are working in, if possible, close out any programs you are running, then restart your computer with the shutdown menu. However, it isn’t always as simple as that. Sometimes a computer will freeze, making you unable to do anything. This is when what is known as a “hard” or “cold” reboot is necessary. That is when you manually turn off the power to the computer, rather than letting the system shut itself down. It’s not recommended you do this unless it is absolutely necessary.
3. Clean up the Trash – When you visit various websites, you pick up these things called “cookies” Basically, cookies are what your computer uses to remember websites. But they can also be malicious. The same goes for temp, or temporary files. Not all good things come in small packages. They can cause your computer and internet browser to run slow, and can allow unwanted ads to appear. They can even cause you to receive spam mail in your inbox. And some even carry viruses, like Trojans, and Worms. That is why you should always have a good firewall and antivirus program, and should clean out your cookies and temp files every day.
4. Install Updates – Updates are put out there for a reason. They help your computer to run smoothly with the software that is always being updated. And installing drivers helps your computer to stay compatible with said updates. If you don’t install the updates frequently, you may find certain programs or functions not working properly, being slow and/or unresponsive. That is why it is recommended that you set your automatic updater to do the job for you. You can customize it to only install the important updates your computer needs to stay running smoothly.
5. When All Else Fails, Call for Help – Computers can be tricky, and often confusing if you aren’t familiar with how things work. But never fear, most places that of technical support offer 24 hour help, whether it be online, or by telephone. We have all been there, or will be there, at some point in time. There’s no shame in admitting defeat. Better to do that, than have to shell out hundreds of dollars for new stuff or repairs.

Whether it’s a minor glitch, or a complete system crash, there’s always a solution for it. It isn’t worth pulling your hair out over. Take a deep breath, relax, figure out what the problem is, then find the solution. And if you can’t find the solution, just rest assured that there’s some genius sitting on a telephone out there waiting to take your call.