Computer Issues Eugene, Oregon

Computers are essential to your business and are an integral part of your operation. No matter how good technology is, there are issues that happen. There’s Hardware, The operating system, drivers for all your devices and multiple applications. They don’t always play well together. No matter how hard you try, problems and hiccups with these computers and their related systems are bound to happen. Whether it’s hardware or software, these issues can be costly and annoying. Many of these problems have simple solutions and are no cause for alarm. For everything else, we are here to resolve all your network and technology needs.

We have listed common issues that can be resolved with troubleshooting so you can get back to business.

  1. My Computer Won’t Turn On

A computer that suddenly shuts off or has difficulty starting up most likely has a failing power supply. Check that your computer is plugged in properly, then plug in another device in the same outlet to test to identify if it is the machine or outlet that is causing the issue.

  1. My Computer Keeps Restarting

Hardware problems can often be difficult to diagnose and solve. First, make sure that it’s not the latest set of Windows updates that are being installed, which can automatically restart your computer as part of the installation process. If your computer continues to restart, be sure that the fans are clean and clear of any dust and debris as many modern computers have safeguards in place that will shut your computer down to prevent overheating. Otherwise, listen for any strange noises and be cognizant that your computer may be under attack from adware or malware. If this is the case, I would recommend giving our computer support help desk a call.

  1. Can’t Log in

This is one of the most common issues we help solve. Make sure you haven’t left your caps lock on and that you have made all the appropriate keystrokes. If this does not solve the problem your password may have expired, or your account may have been locked due to too many failed login attempts. Thankfully, many services also have a password reset function that will allow you to remedy this problem, these days services may have layered security such as multi-factor authentication which could make recovery more difficult.

  1. The Screen is Frozen

When your computer freezes, you may be forced to reboot your computer and risk losing any unsaved work. Freezes can be a sign of low memory, improperly installed or uninstalled software, corrupt or missing files, or spyware. Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off, wait for a few seconds, then restart it. It can also be beneficial to entirely unplug your computer from its power supply while holding the power button to perform a hard restart. Once your computer is back up and running attempt to identify the cause of the shutdown by reviewing your system logs and event viewer before starting any new work.

  1. The Blue Screen of Death

A simple reboot can often fix the blue screen of death long enough to recover the data on your computer if you have been saving your data regularly. When your computer displays a STOP error it is usually caused by an underlying hardware or driver issue that will need to be addressed by an IT service professional. It is helpful to tell your IT support helpdesk what you did just before the error occurred so they can properly fix or diagnose the problem

  1. My Computer is Slow

If your computer is slower than normal, you can often fix the problem by simply rebooting. Regularly check space on your hard drive. Remove older files and unused applications, If you use multiple browser windows, make sure you have enough RAM. External hard drives are great to store files on. Have good quality paid antivirus/malware/spyware software installed.

  1. Slow Internet

Spyware and viruses are the two main causes of slow internet service. Proper firewalls and antivirus software can work wonders in steering you away from unsafe websites and preventing your computer from picking up these unwanted hitchhikers, but there is no guarantee. Never download anything from an untrusted or unfamiliar site and never click on any unknown links.

  1. Wireless Network Keeps Disconnecting

If you are having trouble with your WIFI dropping and disconnecting, The wireless router is most likely not properly configured. First, unplug and follow the restart procedure for your router and ensure you are following the proper sign in procedure for your network. Also check to ensure that your internet is not down and your company login credentials have not changed. If all else fails, these issues can be solved quickly with a call to your internet service provider or our computer help desk.

  1. Printer Won’t Print

Make sure your printer is properly connected, has paper, toner or ink to print and doesn’t have a paper jam. Next, you can check your printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and selecting it. You can also try restarting the Print Spooler service

  1. I Accidentally Deleted Some Files

First, find a quiet place and do your best to relax, this is not the end of the world. Try to look in your computer’s recycle bin or find for your latest backup (which you should be doing regularly). As a means of last resort check for what windows calls “Shadow Copies” which are copies of your document that save automatically. If these methods do not work, stop using your computer immediately and contact our computer help desk, as they can often recover files directly from your computer’s hard drive.

  1. Download Speed is Slow

As is the case with slow internet, spyware and viruses can greatly affect your download speed as well as multiple people streaming video or music on your network can eat up most of your bandwidth. The first step to solving this problem is to ensure that the browser you are using is up to date. The next step is to check your download speeds on a separate computer or a different browser, if there is one available. If these methods still don’t help, try resetting your router and modem with the reset button or unplug them for a couple seconds. Finally, if you are at your wits end call our computer help desk and our technicians can help you properly diagnose and fix your problems.

  1. Can’t Open Email Attachments

If you are having trouble opening an attachment, the problem can often be attributed to not having the correct software required to view the file. You can look at the extension of the file and then search google for what type of program will open the file. For example, If you don’t have Adobe Reader or another PDF reading program, you won’t be able to open or download a PDF file. This is usually a quick fix that involves downloading a PDF reader. Make sure you download programs from reliable sources that are safe. Many sites offer free programs, but they install adware or virus software. Things like such as registry editors or Junk Cleaners. Be very careful.  Be aware of what you download, thorough vetting and proper virus scans should be performed before you install anything from the internet. Contact Ask Erik Computer Services if you need additional assistance.

  1. My Computer Won’t Recognize my USB Device

Try inserting the device in another USB port. If this works then you know the first port you tried must be either dirty, which can usually be fixed with some compressed air or the port is entirely defective. If your USB device does not function in any of your ports, try another device to ensure your computer is working properly before you attempt any more in-depth troubleshooting methods

  1. My Computer is Making Noises

Some hard drives are designed to emit noise when certain hardware components are not functioning properly or failing entirely. Computers are mechanical devices and do have a limited lifespan, so if your devices are older be sure to have a backup or disaster recovery plan to ensure your important files and sensitive information are not lost forever. If your computer does start to act up and make noise stop what you are doing, save immediately and call Ask Erik Computer Services right away to help prevent further damage.

  1. My Browser Looks Weird

Browser hijackers are a particularly effective kind of malware. These programs can take over your Web browser and redirect your web searches to fake pages to steal your personal information or to further infect your system. Subscribing to our monthly managed services plan is a great way to ensure that you, and your personal information, is properly protected while online. If your browser has already been compromised, contact us to sign-up for ongoing managed services and you’ll be in good shape from now on.

  1. My Phones are Down

Making and receiving calls it critical to your business. When phone lines are down your clients, suppliers, support and staff can’t conduct business with you. Phones that work intermittently or go dead can be hard to diagnose. A good solution for this is a technology called VOIP. VOIP will give you all the features and benefits of a traditional phone system without the high cost. There are no charges for each outgoing business call as there is with traditional phone service. In case of an emergency like the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) where people need to be isolated and work from home, they can plug their VOIP phones into an ethernet jack and use it as if they were sitting at their desk. This allows business as usual.