If you can't boot to windows or
having a problem inside of windows, Give the following steps a try. Some steps
do not work for all operating systems. Also some steps may be inaccessible
depending on the problem that you are having. If the step doesn't apply, then
skip to the next one. You might have been brought to this troubleshooter from
another troubleshooter. Some of the steps here may be duplicated from the other
troubleshooter. If you have already done the step, then skip to the next step.
It would be a good idea to just repeat the step. This will ensure that
everything has been covered.
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Try rebooting the computer.
Why reboot computer?
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Before troubleshooting there is
specific questions you need to answer
Click here for the questions.
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If the issue you are experiencing
is sluggish or slow performance from a particular software, you can
limit the number
of cores the software can use
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If problem began when you installed
hardware or software, try removing the hardware or software and see if the
problem goes away.
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Disconnect printers, scanners, and
other peripherals and see if issue goes away. If it does, then its something
to do with it.
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Try
Last known Good
Configuration
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If you can't boot to normal mode,
try
safe mode
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Boot to
safe mode and check for bangs in
Device
Manager.
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Limit
MSCONFIG and check for a virus. (Windows 98, ME, and
Windows XP) (Be sure to return MSCONFIG to
original state after troubleshooting unless you want to leave it that way)
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Delete
Temporary
Internet Files, Cookies, and clear History
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Try a
System Restore. (Windows
Me and Windows XP)
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Look at
performance and / or task Manager
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See how much memory you are using
to the
amount of memory that is in
the system. You may be using more than you have. When you do not have enough
memory, the system will use part of the hard drive as virtual memory. This
usually causes the system to slow down.
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Check the amount of
free space you have on your hard drive.
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Try
Defragging the hard drive.
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Try disabling
Firewalls
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Try disabling Anti-virus (if
that doesn't work, turn it back on but if it does than either there is a
conflict or the anti-virus thinks something that is running is a virus)
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In normal mode, Check
Device Manager for bangs. (A bang is a !, X or
? next to the device. The !, X or ? indicates an issue)
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If the problem you are having is
using a certain program, Look at
Software and see if
it is listed here.
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Take a look at
Video Problems, and
Computer Problems. See if one of
these issues applies to your issues.
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Update your anti-virus software and
run a full scan to see if you have a virus.
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Some anti-virus software CDs are
bootable and allow you to scan for a virus outside of windows, if yours has
that feature, boot to the CD.
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Use the
virus
troubleshooter to see if your system is infected with a virus that your
anti-virus software didn't detect.
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Use the
spyware
troubleshooter to see if spyware is causing the issue
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See if you have the latest drivers
for your system
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If you are having an issue with a
particular program or hardware, see if there is an update or patch for it at
the manufacturer's website.
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Check to see if you have the latest
Direct X and run the Direct
X diagnostics
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Check
hardware
Problems for any possible hardware issues that may apply to your issue.
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Check
Software
Problems for any possible software issues that may apply to your issue.
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Create another windows logon user account. Make sure it is set to Computer
Administrator. If the problem occurs on this account then we know it is not
the profile that is corrupt. If the problem goes away then the profile is
corrupt. (Windows XP)
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If you have an error message, do a
search for it at
Google.com and at the
knowledge base of
Microsoft.com.
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Set
BIOS to default and
clear NVRAM (Check your computer manual or
manufacturer for instructions. Each system is different on this)
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Check to see if there is a newer
BIOS version. (Only
update BIOS if you are experiencing an issue with the system. Sometimes
updating the BIOS can cause other issues)
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If you are having network issues,
run the
Network Diagnostics.
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Try installing the latest
windows installer
from Microsoft.
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Do a
repair of Internet Explorer.
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See if you can boot to a bootable
floppy disk.
You can
download a utility to make the floppy bootable here
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Try copying
NTLDR file from
Windows CD to drive C (Windows
XP)
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Try copying the
NTDETECT.COM file
from Windows CD to Drive C (Windows
XP)
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Try running
CHKDSK /R (Windows
XP)
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Try using the
Recovery Console (Windows
XP)
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Try a
scanreg /restore. (Windows 98 and Windows ME)
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Run a scan for virus. (make
sure your anti-virus is up to date)
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Download and run the
memory diagnostics.
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Try removing all PCI cards
from
system and see if problem goes away.
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If you have more than one stick of memory, try one stick at a time in each
available slot. (some memory requires all memory to be
installed but others don't.
Click
here for information on memory) Be sure the memory is seated.
Instructions on installing
memory
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Run diagnostics on the hard drive. (click
here to get the diagnostic software)
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If you have a diagnostic utility
that is designed for your system,
run the diagnostics on the system.
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Check for updates for your hardware
and software. There might be a patch for a hardware or software on your system
that might fix the issue. (Note: Sometimes installing an
update can cause other problems, so only update if you are having an issue)
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Run
windows update
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If you
have have Microsoft Office, run Office Update.
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If you have Office 2000 or older,
try deleting Normal.dot. (will
not work for Office XP or newer office programs)
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If the issue is dealing with the
Internet, try the
Can't Browse
Internet Troubleshooter
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If the account is limited, that
could be causing the problem. Some software programs do not support the
windows XP feature of limiting accounts. (Windows XP)
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Run SFC. (Windows
98 and Windows XP)
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Try the
PCI card
troubleshooter.
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If the system is rebooting or
shutting off Try the
Shuts off or reboot troubleshooter.
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Try removing the
CMOS battery
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Sometimes a piece of hardware can
cause a software issue. Try reseating PCI, Video, memory, IDE drives, SATA
drives, and power to the system. If that doesn't work, you can try removing
all non-essential internal devices (such as sound cards, modems, extra
memory and any other device not needed for the operation of the system) See
if the problem goes away. If it does, then it might be the hardware that you
removed.
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If you have another hard drive that
has no data on it to save, you can install it and then load the operating
system. If that fixes the issue then you know it is either the hard drive,
or the software is corrupted. If it doesn't resolve the issue then it is
something outside of the hard drive and software.
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If you have access to diagnostics,
run diagnostics on the system, especially on hard drive, memory, CPU and
motherboard.
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Try a
Repair of Windows. (Windows
XP) (usually doesn't work and can harm personal
data. Use as last resort before reinstall of operating system)
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If the issue you are having is with
your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
click here.
(Use this step as last resort before re-installing the
operating system.)
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Before reinstalling the operating
system you can try another hard drive.
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If the issue is software and
dealing with Internet Explorer or connecting to the Internet, try
reinstalling Internet Explorer
(as a last ditch
effort before reinstalling windows)
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If your system has an
RTC Jumper, you can try
resetting it. (This sometimes can harm the system. Use
with care)
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Re-install Windows.
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You can try removing the battery
from the system for 30 seconds. (Be sure to remove
the power cord and drain the power by pushing the power button for five seconds
while the
power cord is removed to drain power from system.) NOTE:
This sometimes damages the motherboard so use it as last resort!
If you are still having issues you
can email me with your problem. Please include the following when you email me.
