19-03-2015, 01:57 PM
Hello all,
Like many technology-related forums, we get our fair share of computer problems reported on here. And many of them are very similar, and much of the advice given is equally similar each time. In the "back room", we have been considering pulling together some general advice that might help people with their problem. And while this thread is unlikely to contain the exact answer, it hopefully helps people to compile a better, more focused fault report. Unfortunately, diagnosing computer problems remotely is very difficult, and that task is made even more so when the initial plea for help is vague. We need data!
Hopefully this thread will help everyone. We'll keep it "sticky", and we'll add to it as time goes by. To keep it tidy, we'll keep it locked - so if there is anything that you wish to discuss as a result, please start a new thread - your contributions will help to shape this resource
Absolute minimum required when reporting faults:
Here is what we need as a bare minimum:
If the fault is with GolborneVintageRadio.co.uk
You must tell us which browser you are using, what version it is, and what OS you have. All browsers behave differently - especially Microsoft Internet Explorer - and some behave differently on different operating systems.
What is happening?
If the computer appears to be unresponsive, we need to narrow it down between 2 major categories:
Is it a rogue process?
The Windows tool for assessing this is "Task Manager". Similar things exist in other operating systems. This will show you a list of processes, and show the amount of CPU time they are consuming (amongst other things). Spend a bit of time getting to understand this - it will help.
To start Task Manager (in Windows), you can try one of the following:
Is it a process loaded at startup needlessly?
A lot of programs loaded at startup can be described as "crapware" - the sort of thing that comes with peripherals like printers and cameras and MP3 players - and is usually totally redundant. Most things can be disabled at startup with no adverse effects. Other things are required, naturally. Ideally, those should be the only things loaded by default.
You can arrange to have programs load at startup in a number of ways - usually either in the "Startup" area of the Start menu, or in the registry.
To see what is being loaded at startup, try this:
What exactly is this process anyhow?
Processes sometime have obvious names - like firefox.exe - but often the names are totally obscure. So, to find out what a process is, and whether you need it or not, simply Google for it. Sounds really obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't think to try it.
This is especially useful when dealing with computers carrying viruses. Often, you'll find further help, like how to remove it. Just from a simple web search.
Like many technology-related forums, we get our fair share of computer problems reported on here. And many of them are very similar, and much of the advice given is equally similar each time. In the "back room", we have been considering pulling together some general advice that might help people with their problem. And while this thread is unlikely to contain the exact answer, it hopefully helps people to compile a better, more focused fault report. Unfortunately, diagnosing computer problems remotely is very difficult, and that task is made even more so when the initial plea for help is vague. We need data!
Hopefully this thread will help everyone. We'll keep it "sticky", and we'll add to it as time goes by. To keep it tidy, we'll keep it locked - so if there is anything that you wish to discuss as a result, please start a new thread - your contributions will help to shape this resource
Absolute minimum required when reporting faults:
Here is what we need as a bare minimum:
- Operating system details
- Web browser (if appropriate)
- Free hard disc space
- RAM fitted
- CPU type
If the fault is with GolborneVintageRadio.co.uk
You must tell us which browser you are using, what version it is, and what OS you have. All browsers behave differently - especially Microsoft Internet Explorer - and some behave differently on different operating systems.
What is happening?
If the computer appears to be unresponsive, we need to narrow it down between 2 major categories:
- Is the delay caused by "paging"? This is when your hard drive is being "thrashed" because the operating system has run out of physical memory (RAM), and so is needing to use an area of the hard drive as an overflow. Of course, a hard drive is much slower than RAM, so this process takes time. It happens all the time on my work machine because it's lacking RAM.
- Or, is the problem caused by a process that is "consuming" too much CPU? If other processes are struggling to get their "bite at of the cherry", then the computer will appear to be slow and unresponsive. Yes, most modern operating systems are "pre-emptively multitasked", which means that in theory this shouldn't happen, but it does - especially when a process is interacting with hardware.
Is it a rogue process?
The Windows tool for assessing this is "Task Manager". Similar things exist in other operating systems. This will show you a list of processes, and show the amount of CPU time they are consuming (amongst other things). Spend a bit of time getting to understand this - it will help.
To start Task Manager (in Windows), you can try one of the following:
- Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar - somewhere between the Start button and the "tray" that contains the clock and other icons. From the menu that pops up, choose "Start Task Manager".
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and choose "Start Task Manager" from the menu offered there.
- Click on Start, choose "Run...", and in the box that pops up, type "taskmgr" (without the quotes), and hit Enter on the keyboard (or click on OK).
- An alternative way to bring up the "Run..." dialogue is to hold the Windows key on the keyboard and tap "R".
Is it a process loaded at startup needlessly?
A lot of programs loaded at startup can be described as "crapware" - the sort of thing that comes with peripherals like printers and cameras and MP3 players - and is usually totally redundant. Most things can be disabled at startup with no adverse effects. Other things are required, naturally. Ideally, those should be the only things loaded by default.
You can arrange to have programs load at startup in a number of ways - usually either in the "Startup" area of the Start menu, or in the registry.
To see what is being loaded at startup, try this:
- Click on Start, choose "Run...". Or do Win+R, as mentioned above.
- In the Run... box, type "msconfig" (without the quotes) and hit Enter.
What exactly is this process anyhow?
Processes sometime have obvious names - like firefox.exe - but often the names are totally obscure. So, to find out what a process is, and whether you need it or not, simply Google for it. Sounds really obvious, doesn't it? But you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't think to try it.
This is especially useful when dealing with computers carrying viruses. Often, you'll find further help, like how to remove it. Just from a simple web search.