It ’s happened to us all . You get home from a long sidereal day at work and you require to blow off some steam with an minute of gaming or peradventure browse the connection , but when you tap your black eye button or plug the mogul switch , the unthinkable happens . You ’re SOL .
Whether the system is red - lining , the OS is BSODing , or your Internet is slow , this defeat is familiar to any soul who drives a PC . You ’re confront with a problem that stop you drained in your tracks . If you ’re a savvy self - tech , you work through your proverbial checklist of areas to look at . But not everyone is so experienced , and even old hand have holes in their troubleshooting repertory . So , in the interest of put up the most useful advice to the greatest number of mass , we ’ve compiled a list of the top five problems that could bear upon each of your information processing system ’s major ironware or software subsystem and our best advice on how to fix them . This is our in depth computer mending guide .
Storage Problems
What to do when your severe phonograph recording is fail and your SSD is shinny
Problem : Hard Drive vanish
Solution : If it ’s a drive that was previously seeable , the first dance step is to see if the ride read up in the BIOS ( check under Boot ) . If not , swap out the SATA and/or power cables . If the drive shows up , run CHKDSK on it by decently - clicking the drive in My Computer , opt property , then the Tools chit , and then “ break now ” and “ Automatically fix file systems errors . ” If the parkway continues to give a ton of errors , and is behaving erratically but is seeable in Windows , copy all data off it at once if you could , or run Data Recovery on it STAT . If the drive is not visible in Windows , your option are limited to the Freezer Trick ( an time of day or so of extreme cold sometimes sets things consecutive ) or expensive forensic - style information recovery .
If this is a blade - new drive that ’s not show up , you ask to initialise it first . Right - click My Computer and select Manage , then Disk Management and accompany the prompt .
trouble : Optical Drive Disappears
Solution : This classic conundrum involves either a missing drive or one that stops functioning suddenly . Put on your big - son pants and type regedit in the Start computer menu search box , then voyage to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4D36E965 - E325 - 11CE - BFC1 - 08002BE10318 } . If you see an incoming named UpperFilters , delete it . If you see an entrance nominate LowerFilters , delete it . Once you ’ve done this , exit Regedit and reboot your system . In most scenario , your optical drive will re-emerge and/or magically set out working again . notice that you may have to reinstall software that accesses the ocular drive ( for example , burning package ) to get back to 100 percent functionality .
Problem : Drive Not Reporting Full Capacity
answer : This is usually an issue with 3 TB or 4 TB drives , as 2 TB drives should have zero issues in Win7 ( WinXP user might have to download a utility from the driving ’s producer to let for a drive with 4 K sector ) . Out of the box these 3/4 TB movement are typically MBR disks , which limits a sectionalisation to 2 TB ( actually , 1.8 TB or so ) classify the rest to a disjoined partition . If you want the full capacity in one partition , you postulate to convert the phonograph recording to GPT . To do this , case cmd at the Start search box ; at the prompt type diskpart , then list disk , then select disc X ( substituting X for your cause bit ) , then convert GPT . Now go to Disk Management and create your massive single partition .
Problem : SSD operation Is Slow
root : If you ’re using a hard drive and it feels slow , do n’t vex ; that ’s how they are for the most part . If you ’re using an SSD and its slow , there is a problem . If you ’re not sure if it ’s dull than spec , download CrystalDiskMark and see what kind of consecutive - read / write speeds you are pose . secondly , make trusted the drive is connect to the aboriginal SATA 6Gb / s port on the motherboard . You ca n’t rely on gloss , only your mobo manual of arms , to tell . Third , go into the BIOS and make certain the SATA port for that drive is set up to AHCI mode instead of IDE way , as that will usually give you better performance .
Problem : AHCI Causes BSOD ( blue screen of death )
resolution : Sometimes , people install Windows 7 without AHCI enable , only to find out that enable it after the install have a BSOD . To fix this , you have to blue-pencil the registry . Press Windows + R samara , character regedit , then sail to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesmsahci . Then right - click the word Start on the veracious - side and click Modify . Change the time value in the window to “ 0 ” and clack OK . Exit Regedit , bring up the system , and shift your SATA controller to AHCI ; you will reboot mightily into Windows .
USB
What to do when it wo n’t plug nor fiddle
trouble : Some USB Ports Do n’t puzzle out
resolution : Nonfunctional USB ports could be make by a few things . If the embrasure are front - mount , ensure the internal cable’s length are connected in good order and that the required USB header is enabled in your organization BIOS . If the ports are solder on the motherboard ( and enabled ) , open up gadget Manager and see if any USB root controller or hub are report a problem . If so , a number one wood update / reinstallation may correct the proceeds . It ’s also possible that the forcible connection have been damage ( or a fuze has bodge ) , in which casing you ’ll have to re - solder some unexampled one onto the board . If the USB port are associated with a third - party controller , be sure its drivers are instal , because Windows may not recognize the controller mechanically .
Problem : Slow File Transfer over USB
Solution : Windows Vista and 7 have some known USB performance issues , so the first thing to do is run Windows Update and make certain your group O is in full piece . We ’d also advise installing the previous drivers for your motherboard ’s chipset and any discrete USB restrainer . You could also try setting the USB drive to operation mode . Open machine Manager , mighty - click the USB drive , and choose Properties from the menu . In the lead windowpane , click the Policies tab and tick the pick pronounce “ good performance . ” Please observe , this feature will enable indite hive up , so you ’ll have to apply the Safely Remove Hardware option when disconnect the drive to prevent any data loss .
Problem : USB Hub Does n’t Work
Solution : This problem is almost always triggered by insufficient power being supplied to the hub . If the hub came with an AC adapter , make certain it ’s plug in and working decent . And if you ’ve got the hub plug into a front - mounted USB port , try connecting it to a rear port that is soldered onto your mobo . Rear - mounted port can normally cater more power ( or more stable ability ) , which can resolve some issues with finicky hubs .
job : Charging Phone over PC ’s USB Port Takes Forever
Solution : Standard USB 2.0 port colligate on a root hub have to share 500mA of current ( USB 3.0 powers up to 900mA ) . If you ’ve got a bunch of USB devices connected and the port your phone is plugged into is competing for circumscribed power , it will take much longer than normal to charge . Try stop up the phone into a different embrasure ( preferably USB 3.0 , if possible ) or disconnecting other USB gimmick while charge .
It ’s worth note that some motherboard manufacturers — such as Gigabyte — have begin incorporating high up - power USB port wine that can deliver up to 2.7A of current onto their board . If you need to rapidly charge twist while they ’re link up to your system , it may be deserving checking out one of these board .
Problem : USB gimmick Is Not Recognized
Solution : USB devices are unremarkably as plug - and - turn as you could get , but if a exceptional gimmick is n’t recognize properly , it may be incompatible with your USB controller or expect machine driver to be manually installed . Compatibility is very skilful with USB controllers native to modern chipsets , but we ’ve see some incompatibility with some discrete USB 3.0 controllers that are yet to be resolved . Should you need to install driver for the equipment , stop up it into a USB port , then go to equipment Manager , right - chatter the equipment , and choose Update Drive Software from the menu . Then , you may search the internet for drivers automatically or point the wizard to any drivers download from the machine manufacturer ’s website .
Video Cards
Gee , pee - yew !
trouble : GPU Is irksome
Solution : If your GPU is lag , the first halt on the road to buyback is a driver update . Both Nvidia and AMD are mesh in a drivers arms race , with each company updating its driver with an OCD - comparable oftenness that ’s telling . And always contain to see if there ’s a new driver before you launch a brand - new game . you may incur your machine driver version easily in both Catalyst Control Center under Information / Software , and in the Nvidia Control Panel . Overheating can also cause the GPU to throttle its clock pep pill , so supervise your temporary using the software provided by your GPU manufacturing business .
Problem : Multicard Setup Not Working
result : Dual - card frame-up can be problematic for a number of reason , and make them recognized by Windows is the first challenge . If CrossFireX / SLI is n’t an option you see in the software program , ignore your motherboard ’s color coding and move the second card to a dissimilar PCIe slot . game are a different floor , as the drivers have to include a visibility for a sure game , benchmark , or app to allow both identity card to function , so there is normally a bit of a time lag after a game comes out for a compatible driver ( EVGA uniquely offers temporary profiles for raw game ) . Assuming dual - calling card mode is enable in the gadget driver , and the game has been out awhile , your SLI / CrossFireX nosepiece could be faulty , but that is rarefied . you could try force dual - card mode via the Catalyst Control Center or Nvidia Control Panel , but success is attain - or - miss when doing this .
job : Screen Corruption and Artifacts
Solution : Graphical depravity is ordinarily due to one of two things : a video recording card that is either overheating or choke . First , check your temps using software system like MSI Afterburner , EVGA Precision X , Asus GPU Tweak , GPU - Z , etc . Anything below 80 blow is ok but a well - cooled card typically does n’t exceed 70 C. Second , take your GPU out of the fount and give it a skillful cleaning with compressed air , and after you reinstall it , put some coolheaded aura on it by off the case door for a mo , or manually turn up the fans to 100 percent using the above - mentioned software . To see if your board is die , try scarper it in a champion ’s system to try out ; conversely , use his or her card in your system . Also , if you are overclocking , immediately go back to stock speeds .
Problem : Display and Resolution Issues
answer : While not as rough-cut , you should never look across a cable / association emergence as the cause of your problem . If you are running 2560×1600 resolution , you credibly need a dual - tie DVI cable’s length ( and therefore a two-fold - connection DVI port on the video recording bill of fare , as well — some DVI port wine are single - link , so curb ) . DisplayPort also runs at 2560×1600 , but VGA and single - data link DVI do not . Also threefold - halt the input reservoir for your LCD , as that ’s a mistake that even non - rookies make . And double - chit the cable you ’re using — swap it out if potential .
trouble : Second Display Not discern
Solution : First , ensure you are running the latest drivers . Many systems that are running the default Windows drivers have issues with this . secondly , check that you have gone into the control panel of the driver to activate the 2d display . Third , some DVI interface do not figure out if you are using a VGA - DVI adapter , so if there are two ports on your placard , try them both . If you have everything go under commonly in the equipment driver , check that your Windows preferences are configure right , and that you have multiple displays enabled .
CPU
It ’s usually not the perpetrator
trouble : CPU Is Overheating
Solution : Do n’t assume that high temporary worker automatically warrant a young heatsink . The cooler is potential dust - clogged ( judge cleaning it ) , or the fan is die ( requiring a replacement ) . Or the heatsink has been ill set up — remove it and remount it with new thermic spread . ( Incidentally , degraded thermal library paste alone can be the culprit . Here are our picking for the honest thermal paste ) . Other possible causes include the case fans — unobjectionable and check them . Or a newer , hotter GPU could have swamped your case ’s ability to stay cool . A BIOS update could also change the fan profile from what you had set . Also keep this in intellect : If your CPU is apparently running “ hot ” but the machine is n’t blue - screening or restrict clock speed , you probably do n’t have to perspire it .
trouble : CPU Is Slow
Solution : processor performance issues typically amount from misconfiguration in the BIOS or overheating . First , verify your chip ’s clock speed by run CPU - Z ( www.cpuid.com ) while running a CPU load in Cinebench 11.5 ( www.maxon.net ) . If the Erodium cicutarium are right ( commend , chips do n’t Turbo under heavy loads on all centre ) , compare your Cinebench 11.5 dozens with others on the Internet . The tons should be within a few percentage points of others . If the scores are close , the processor is not “ slow ; ” it ’s something else in your system . If the score do n’t match , you may have a thermal way out . Check that your heatsink has n’t hail loose , reapply caloric paste , and clean the heatsink and lover . A BIOS update could also be needed , as well .
Problem : CPU Is unsound
resolution : CPUs rarely “ go high-risk . ” They typically make for or do n’t work . Usually , it ’s everything around them that break . If you ’re overclocking , stop . strain to insulate CPU problems by run a CPU - intensive app such as Prime95 . If it blue - screens , check thermic consequence first ( see “ CPU Is Overheating ” ) . Also check your tup with Memtest86 + ( www.memtest.org ) . hold back your power supply connectors to the mobo and GPU . If the PSU is overheating and fail , it could cause clangour . Failing PSUs cause force sags , which can look like a bad CPU , too . If you have a known good PSU you could switch in , do so . Oddly enough , a flunk GPU can resemble a CPU nonstarter , so if you have a spare GPU or an integrated option , assay switching to it and prove again .
trouble : mainframe Is Always Under a Heavy Load
Solution : Heavy CPU usage can be a sign of malware , so make certain your AV is updated and take to the woods a full arrangement CAT scan . Also consider running a petty scan using Malwarebytes Free ( www.malwarebytes.org ) and any of the costless web - based digital scanner such as those from Trend Micro , Bit Defender , or ESET . Also check to see that your own AV app is n’t flail the system of rules by doing a CAT scan — stop the running processes in Task Manager ( Ctrl + Alt + Del , Start Task Manager , select Processes . ) get across the CPU newspaper column to sieve by usage and begin look for the cyberspace for each suspicious mental process name .
Problem : CPU Only Works in Single - Channel way
Solution : First , make certain the RAM is OK by running Memtest86 + ( www.memtest.org ) . If the RAM clears , tick off the slots for debris and swap out the DIMMs for recognise good RAM . If crashing persists when put into dual - duct modality , you in all probability bent a pin set up your CPU . We ’ve view this on LGA1366 and LGA1155 platforms several times . It can be fixed by taking a sharp tongue and cautiously straightening the pin in the socket ( or on the CPU in AMD chips ) .
Network
Why ca n’t it just solve ?
Problem : Internet Connection Drops
Solution : The most likely perpetrator is your ISP ( Internet Service Provider ) , so prepare to wait on hold . Before you do , though , judge some introductory troubleshooting .
If your system(s ) connects through a router , plug into the system directly to your modem to see if the router has a problem , and also cycle the power on your broadband modem . But do n’t just quickly hit its power switch or reset push button . Unplug it from magnate for a few endorsement . Plug it back in and hold back for the modem to resync with your ISP ’s meshing before testing the connection again . If you incur yourself reset your modem monthly or even weekly to resolve Internet connectivity issues , a call to your ISP is in order . There may be an issue that only a modem replacement or a table service tech can fix .
Problem : File Downloads Take Forever , Ping Times Suck
result : adverse to popular feeling , there are n’t any tweaks that will significantly speed up or improve Internet connection speed . If your connexion is usually fast , but slows during peak hours or only when connecting to certain situation , there may not be much you’re able to do . You should sure enough run a wideband test to see where your speeds in reality are . ISPs usually have a guaranteed speed band that , if you ’re under , they will either fix or agitate you less for . Also , power wheel your modem and router . look into your router ’s log to see if you have an unauthorised Edgar Guest sapping speeding . Streaming cyberspace cameras , or stream Netflix to multiple machine will also sap performance .
job : Ca n’t Access New Server / NAS / PC from other Systems
answer : There are a number of matter that could make a new system / NAS to be inaccessible from other machine on a internet . First , check that the newfangled system is definitely connected to the LAN properly and that its mesh controller is active . And also gibe that the system of rules ’s configure with the correct IP address . If the host or NAS is on a different subnet , for model , it may come out to be connected to a meshing , but it wo n’t be visible to your other systems . With a standalone NAS gadget , you ’ll have to log into its configuration menu , pilot to the LAN options , and then enter the proper IP address ( or set it to DHCP ) . To change an IP address on Windows 7 system of rules , you ’ll desire to go to connection and Sharing Center , cluck the Local Area Connection , then cluck the Properties button , highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 ( TCP / IPv4 ) , and then click belongings again . you’re able to change the system ’s IP address on the General tab key .
It ’s also possible that your client microcomputer has web discovery disabled or an overzealous firewall that wo n’t lease the system see other devices , so check that , too .
Problem : SSID Appears but Ca n’t Connect Using Wi - Fi
Solution : Wi - Fi connectivity problems are almost always due to interference or firmware and/or number one wood incompatibility . The first thing to try is to simply reset your wireless router in subject something ’s go wonky that a reboot might specify . Pull your router ’s powerfulness corduroy , wait a few seconds , and then plug it back in . Once the router has fully booted , attempt to connect again .
If the issue stay , the wireless channel being used by your router may be congested . Download a utility like Insider ( www.metageek.net ) to your laptop , or Wi - Fi Analyzer to your smartphone , and glance over the wireless networks in the area . If your router is using the same channel as many others within range , lumber into your router ’s form bill of fare , pilot to the wireless internet section , and change the communication channel to the one that ’s least used in the domain .
If that does n’t facilitate , stress updating the router ’s firmware . Hit your router manufacturer ’s website and correspond for a microcode update . If one is available , download it , and then lumber into the router ’s form menu and employ the update ( this process will vary from router to router — consult your manual ) . Once the firmware update is install , configure the wireless electronic web stage setting and stress tie in again . Updating the drivers for your wireless net controller is deserving a shot , too .
trouble : net Connection Is undependable
Solution : undependable or intermittent cyberspace connections are usually the result of a hardware or signaling trouble at some point between your PC and the web . Some of these problems you could cook , others may require a overhaul call from your ISP .
The first thing to try is resetting your modem and router and swapping out the connection cables between them . Kill the power to your modem and router , hold off a few moments , and then power them back up . Also , be trusted to use known good cables to link the devices together . We ca n’t count how many time a incorrect cable has caused foul issues on a connection . If the problem stay , give your ISP a call and have it run a diagnostic to mark the signal strength and lineament on your line . Should your ISP detect a problem , betting odds are it can be fix by a inspection and repair technician .
For data on how to fix problem with Windows and more , keep reading over atMaximum PC . [ Top image : KJBevan/ Shutterstock ]
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