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Many problems can be diagnosed or solved without the use of a technician.

  Problem Possible Solution  
  1st step: Define the Problem What changed, and when did it change.  Ask yourself what you were doing when you first noticed the symptom.  Is it getting worse?  Is anyone else having the same problem?  If there is an error message, what does it say?  
  My screen is dark Is there power at the plug in the wall?  Is the power strip on, and is the computer and monitor plugged into it?  Is the monitor on and plugged into the computer?  Is the brightness control turned up on the monitor?  
  Can't log in Try the Caps Lock key.  Is the LAN cable plugged into the back of the computer?  Is the cable 'link light' on?  If you have DSL service, does your telephone work?  If you have a cable modem, is your TV cable service working?  
  Files are missing When and where did you last save them?    Right click on the Windows Start Menu, choose explore, left click on the C: drive to set the start of the search, and then left click on the Search button.  Enter the file name to search for.  
  E-mails that I send are returned with the message: "Can't send for x hrs/days" The e-mail address may be incorrect.  Try having the recipient  send e-mail to you.  When it arrives, choose to reply and add your own message.  
  Can't print Make sure the printer is plugged in to both the computer and the power strip, that it is on and has paper in it.  Try printing a test page from the printer.  
  Out of memory errors RAM memory is used by the CPU to store information on a temporary basis.  If the CPU runs out of RAM space, it moves less recently used data from RAM into a temporary 'swap file' on the hard disk until needed.  Out of memory errors can result from too small a swap file, or a hard disk that is becoming too full.  
  Computer is slow The cost of RAM memory is only a fraction of what it used to be only a short while ago, often less than fifty dollars.  More RAM will reduce the amount of 'swapping' that Windows does when RAM becomes too full.  Performance is improved and the hard drive doesn't have to work as hard.