Computer First Aid page - XP and Vista.

Computer will not boot:

• Check that power is connected on BOTH computer and monitor. (Unplugged power is a common reason for computers not to boot)
• Check that monitor is ON (Many times computers are on, but monitor is OFF and that is why you see black screen.)
• Check that the computer's VGA (monitor cable) is connected properly between the monitor and the computer.
• Listen to the computer - if you hear the fun noise, you computer is probably ON and there is another problem.

Computer restart its self or will not complete the boot all the way:

• BEFORE you do anything, please locate on your keyboard the F8 function key. Now restart your computer. When you see the first boot up screen, click on the F8 function key, once every second: Click, Click Click... It should open Windows "Safe Mode" Startup menu (If you do not see it - restart again, and click on F8 earlier...) Now that the Safe Mode menu open, select "Safe Mode" and hit ENTER. In many cases, once you boot on safe mode, Windows will correct it self and you'll be OK
• If the computer will not start - Try again to get to the "Safe Mode" menu, and select Enable VGA mode, and hit Enter.

Your computer boot slow, and work slow 1...

• The first thing to do is hit ALT, CTRL and DELETE keys all together. First, find all those 3 keys. Then, with left hand, hold down the ALT and CTRL keys, and click on the DELETE key. This should open a screen with few buttons, and on of them will be Task Manager. (Task manager may be open right away.) Click on the "Processes" tab. In XP, you should see about 37 - 41 processes. For Vista the numbers are 65 - 75. If you see more then that, most likely your computer is loaded with all kind of unnecessary processes that are occupying memory and killing your computer performances... Then, click on the "Performance" tab FP usage. If you see more then 300 MB in XP, or 800MB in Vista, you probably have too many programs loaded, and your computer's performance sucks. See below (2) for remedy.

Your computer boot slow, and work slow 2...

• Another easy way to detect the symptoms of over loaded computer with crap is look at the System Tray - that would be at the lower right corner of the screen: If you see a long system tray loaded with many little sweet icons - you're looking at a "Loaded System Tray," and surly you're computer is likely to be over loaded, resulting with slow lazy computer. Remedy for over loaded computer - remove unnecessary processes and program from the startup of Windows. That can be done using the MsConfig utility. How ever, while ease the load from your computer, you you may disable some program that you need. Its best to do this with someone who knows about computers.

Your computer boot slow, and work slow 3...

• Another common reason for lousy performance is toolbars. Many of your friends on the internet who are offering you "free" toolbars and software are taking the freedom to install "toolbars" on your Internet Explorer. If your Internet Explorer top is crowded with buttons, search assistant, favorites and what not - you own an over load computer. Go to your control panel, Add / Remove programs (or on Vista, "Programs and Features") and mercilessly remove anything that looks like "Free offer" "my..." "Toolbar" or any kind of soliciting names. NOTE - YOU MAY UNINSTALL PROGRAMS THAT YOU NEED OR PAID FOR. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE - LEAVE IT ALONE!

"Operating System not found" messages:

• Time to prayer... First, check if there is no disk in the CD tray or in the floppy disk tray. If there is a disk - God just answer your prayers: Get the disk / CD out and restart your computer. If it is not start - turn of and please call us. The earlier, the better. NOTE: The less you'll try to turn on and boot - the better the chances for recover.

You are getting blue screens...

• You are in a world of hurt... Please call us...