IT Troubleshooting Tips before Calling Tech Support

There are many things you can fix yourself to save time and money on tech support.)

Customer:  My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it’s plugged into the computer?
Customer:  No. I can’t get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back
Customer:  OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support:  That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Ah…that one does work… 

Calling up tech support is an obvious thing to do when IT breakdown occurs. Right? While tech support can fix the issues to get your IT system back to life, there are many things you can do yourself. For example, it may be due to less screen brightness that you are not seeing anything or may be your PC is not plugged in.

The point is here that you should check the system for petty issues you can fix yourself. This way, you can save money and time. Let’s have a look at the things you should do before calling tech support.

  • Look closely at your monitor to find the problem. Does the system tray show yellow or red notification icons from programs like Windows Security Center or Action Center? Look for error messages to find out what’s at fault.
  • Make sure the system is plugged in. Check cable connections to wireless adapters, local networks and printers.
  • Restart is an old age remedy to get rid of hanging or freezing. Even you can do it when the program is not responding. Rebooting also work when you have trouble with printer and internet access. Wait for 10 minutes to rebooting the system.
  • Make sure to save all of your work to the server or a memory stick before turning off PC.
  • Search the Internet for the solution. You will find wide range of solution in searches.

About Ng Wei Khang

Ng Wei Khang, CEO at a Singapore based IT consultancy company, APIXEL IT Support, has been operational for over 8 years from now. Apixel provides fixed price IT Support Services with unlimited packages that includes small business server setup, Cloud Solution Configuration, Network management and Data security & Theft prevention. The company also provides expert IT consultancy to SMEs in Singapore.

View all posts by Ng Wei Khang →

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