Basic computer troubleshooting
Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Hope
Below is a listing of commonly asked computer questions and answers, and basic troubleshooting steps for operating systems, software, and computer hardware. Remember that this is a select few of the thousands of questions and answers in our database.
See our troubleshoot definition for a general overview of the steps that should be taken while troubleshooting a computer. If you're confused on where to start, try our free online Mr. Hope utility or using our search engine at the top of any page.
Common Windows errors and how to fix them
- My computer is running slow, what steps can I do to fix it?
- Windows freezes or stops responding frequently.
- What should I do when a computer freezes or locks up?
- Why does Windows restart without warning?
- How to fix Windows blue screen errors.
- How to fix missing Microsoft Windows .dll files.
- Why do Windows programs stop responding?
- How to regain computer hard drive space.
- How to erase a hard drive and start over?
- How to shut down a computer.
- How to fix problems in Windows after installing new software.
- How to fix a fatal exception error.
- How to fix illegal operations on a computer.
- How to fix a general protection fault.
- How to fix an invalid page fault.
- What to do if my Windows computer starts slowly?
- How to fix a "not a valid Win32 application" error.
- How to fix a divide or divide by zero error.
- How to fix Windows runtime errors.
- Issues relating to msgsrv32.
Basic software troubleshooting
- What is software?
- Basic software troubleshooting.
- Basic computer game troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Internet Explorer troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows 2000 troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows Me troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows 98 troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows 95 troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft Windows 3.x troubleshooting.
- Basic Microsoft DOS troubleshooting.
- Full list of all software-related questions and answers.
Basic hardware troubleshooting
- What is hardware?
- Why does my computer not work?
- Why does my computer turn off without warning?
- Why won't my computer turn on?
- Why does my computer not turn off?
- My computer is running slow, what steps can I do to fix it?
- How to test for hardware failures in a computer.
- What is causing noise in my computer?
- How to fix missing or lost sound in Windows.
- No display or black screen on a computer monitor.
- How to troubleshoot printer issues.
- Mouse is not detected or working in Windows.
- Why is my laptop mouse touchpad not working?
- Why don't any keys on my keyboard work?
- How to test computer memory to determine if it's bad.
- How to test a hard drive for failures.
- How to test a computer motherboard and CPU for failures.
- Why is my Wi-Fi not working?
- Basic network troubleshooting.
- How to test a computer CD-ROM and DVD drive for failures.
- How to troubleshoot microphone issues.
- General scanner troubleshooting.
- Why does my computer not turn off?
- How to troubleshoot floppy disk drive issues.
- How to fix Windows error 'Data or no disk loaded' with audio CD.
- Full list of hardware-related questions and answers.