Topic outline

  • General

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    Computer Problems

    This course outlines several common computer problems and gives possible solutions for them.

    Other Training courses can be found in the Training Category

  • Topic 1

    Login problems

    It is not uncommon to have difficulties logging on. This can be for a variety of reasons. The most common is a problem with your username or password. Before doing anything else it is worth trying your username and password again, making sure to type it slowly and ensuring that CAPs Lock is off.

    If you continue to have problems, try another PC, if this works report a fault with the initial PC to IT Networks. If there isn't another PC available try rebooting your PC. The PC may have lost the network connection and rebooting it will restore it.

    If none of these work, please either ring or go to IT Networks, they may need to reset your password or examine your PC. If this isn't convenient a colleague could E-mail IT Support.

  • Topic 2

    PC won't switch on

    Sometimes the PC fails to switch on. The first thing to check is that the power cable is plugged in, and that power is switched on at the wall. If these are both in place contact IT Support with the number of your PC, for instance "A1-25-10". If there isn't a sticker on your PC, use nearby PCs to figure out the number, as they are positioned in order.

    Sometimes the computer begins to boot (start) and get stuck. This is called a start-up loop, if this happens please log a fault with IT letting us know the number of your PC, for instance "A1-25-10" and that it is stuck in a start-up loop. If there isn't a sticker on your PC, use nearby PCs to figure out the number, as they are positioned in order.

  • Topic 3

    Either Monitor or Projector won't display

    On occasion either your projector or monitor won't display. There are several things you can do to check what might be wrong. First of all check that the PC, Monitor and Projector are all switched on. If any of them will not switch on then please contact IT.

    Another frequent problem can be that the powered splitter isn't working. Check that this is switched on there should be a little light (usually either green or red) showing on the box to demonstrate it has power. If this isn't showing please contact IT and let us know that the powered splitter is faulty.

    The third most common problem is that one of the video cables has come out. These are known as VGA cables, and have square blue ends to them, with 3 rows of pins. There should be one running from your PC to the splitter, one running from the splitter to the monitor and one running from the splitter up to the projector on the ceiling. Checking that all of these are plugged in can resolve problems, in particular splitters are usually on the floor under a desk and it is easy to kick a cable out.

    As ever if the above tips don't solve the problem please contact IT Support with the problem giving us your PC's details.

  • Topic 4

    Projector upside down/back to front

    On some projectors the settings can reset to the defaults, this can make the projector show upside down and/or back to front.  This can usually be fixed quite simply. 

    Press the Menu button, then use the arrow keys on the projector to select the right option. This will usually be "Orientation" "Position" or "Display", it can vary depending on the model of projector. 

    This will take you to the list of different options. You can usually find out which is correct by trial and error, but the correct one is normally "Front Ceiling" though sometimes this may be different due to projector models.

    If this doesn't resolve it please contact IT Support letting us know which room the projector is in.

  • Topic 5

    Printer won't print

    There can be many reasons why a particular printer will not print. This section will outline some of the most common ones, and either present a way to resolve them, or tell you what information IT will need to know to fix the problem.

    Paused

    Sometimes a printer has been paused while in the middle of a job. It will usually say this on the screen on the printer usually showing "PAUSED" or "STOPPED" on the screen. Usually this is done with a "Ready/Pause" button on the Printer, typically a large Green button. Pressing it again usually restarts the process and it should carry on printing. If it fails to it may be another issue and you should contact IT.

    Paper Out

    Sometimes an apparent problem with a printer can actually be that the printer is out of paper. First try adding some paper to the main draw (usually labelled as draw 2) if this doesn't work, sometimes a document has been sent to the manual feed draw (usually draw 1 if the printer has one) adding paper to this will mean that the print job should just start. On some printers when the paper is out it pauses so you need to use the pause button to restart this.

    Paper Jam

    A printer may stop printing because it has a paper jam. This can sometimes be easy to fix. If you check the draw sometimes the paper hasn't fed in properly, carefully pulling it back will solve it. Sometimes the jam is further round, some printers have a front case that just pop open then you can remove it from there. You must be very careful not to rip the paper as this can cause serious problems, pulling the paper slowly and gently will remove it without ripping it. If you can't reach the paper or fear it may rip please contact IT and let us know that your printer is jammed.

    Cartridge out

    Obviously our printers are used heavily, and will run out of Toner or Ink. IT normally have spare toners in stock, but obviously in periods of high demand we may have run out and need to order more (this may take up to 7 days). If you call IT we can normally change the toner same day, assuming we have one in stock. The important thing is to tell us your printer location, and if possible the model (this is normally written on the printer). It is also vital to supply us with the colour that is out, normally this will either show as the colour (Black, Cyan, Magenta or Yellow) or a code (C, M, Y, and B or K). Supplying us with all this information means we can quickly get you printing again.

    Sometimes it will appear that the toner was out, but the message displays "Waste Toner Full" if you let us know this we can get it changed.

    Power/Data out

    Sometimes the printer may not be responding due to a cable being out, checking that the power cable runs from the printer to a switched on plug, and that the network cable runs from the printer to a nearby network point can solve some problems. If one of the cables seems broken or missing please contact us and let us know.

    Stuck print Job

    A printer may be processing a print job and get "stuck" and cease printing. One reason can be because it is a large file so you may want to wait a few minutes to see if it catches up. If it's a normal file it shouldn't be waiting, if it does please call IT and we can remotely clear out the print job so the printer can continue printing.

  • Topic 6

    Keyboard &/or Mouse won't work

    Users may find that their keyboard and/or mouse won't respond. 
    The first thing to check is that the keyboard and mouse are both plugged in. Often they can be knocked out by accident and need replacing. If you replace them your computer may need restarting so that it picks up the equipment. 

    If a restart doesn't make the keyboard and mouse work then please contact IT and we'll bring down replacement equipment.