Troubleshooting

Need a quick answer?  Having a nagging problem you want solved?  Check out the troubleshooting guide below.  If you have an issue you want added, fill out the form.
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Before you go any further, REBOOT!

For real.  Do it.  Do it now.  Many computer glitches are solved with a reboot.  Windows uses "processes" that run like little programs in the background.  They connect you to things like networked printers and internet access.  Often, if a process hangs or freezes, you have computer problems.  The first step to troubleshooting is a simple reboot.

Here's what blogger Chron.com has to say about the reboot:

Why rebooting a computer fixes some problems

Q. I recently contacted you about a problem I was having and your response was to ask if I had rebooted the computer. Well, I rebooted the computer and the problem went away. My question now is: Why is a reboot so often the fix for so many computer problems?

A. In my time as a computer problem solver, I have found that a reboot of a computer system is the solution to a large percentage of computer problems.  Any time that you experience problems such as a degradation in performance or random system and application crashes, the first thing you should do is simply reboot the computer.  The reason this works is that it simply resets everything. As we launch and then close applications, sometimes they don’t shut down completely or release the system resources they were using when they were running. This is especially true when it comes to system memory.  When you reboot your computer, it clears the memory and cleans up certain temp files and caches that were being used and basically give the computer a fresh start.  Obviously, a reboot is not the fix for every computer problem. But it should be on the top of your list when diagnosing and troubleshooting many computer issues.

In fact, most technicians won’t even consider looking into a problem until at least one reboot has been attempted.

You didn't skip the reboot, did you?  Are you sure?

Just checking.

Why won't my computer turn on?

Check to make sure your battery is charged, and if not, check to see that the power cord is (1) firmly in your Tablet PC (2) firmly in the block charger and (3) plugged into the wall.  If you're plugged into a surge protector, make sure that is on and plugged in as well.

Why won't my computer turn off?

If your computer is frozen and you've tried to restart using the Task Manager or you cannot move the mouse, let it sit for five minutes.  If you come back and its still frozen, do a "hard reboot" which is holding the power button in the "on" position for 5-7 seconds until the computer shuts down.  In a worst-case scenario, you can remove the battery from the bottom of your Tablet PC.