Computer Troubleshooting Basics

Illegal Operations

• Memory conflicts (bad memory?)• Dirty CD or corrupt files on a floppy• Highly fragmented hard drive• Corrupt files (Windows or another program)• Virus or spyware• New hardware (possible driver issue or setting

conflict)

Slow Computer

• Check free space on your hard drive• Run scandisk (possibly corrupt files)• Too many processes (possibly spyware)

running in the background• Computer overheating (check fans)• Recently installed hardware, software or

updates?

Program Not Responding

• Bugged software• Conflicts between hardware or software• Lack of system resources (memory, hard disk

space, too many active programs)

Computer Lock Up?• No mouse control? Do you have keyboard control?

– You can check by pushing the caps lock or num lock keys on your keyboard and seeing if the corresponding lights respond.

• Have keyboard control, push CTRL-ALT-DELETE at the same time to access the task manager.

• End the program that is “not responding” in the task manager.• Save anything you are working on and reboot the computer.• No keyboard control? Hold the power button in for a few

seconds.

Use The Tools Available

• Check Disk or Scandisk • Disk Cleanup• Defragment Drive• System Restore (Windows ME & XP)

Backup

• Keep the files you want to backup in a central location. I suggest My Documents. You can easily backup the My Documents folder using Windows Backup tool.

• Be aware that if you want to backup your entire system you’ll need a large capacity storage device.

Common Spyware/Adware Symptoms

• Computer suddenly slow.• Unknown icons in your windows system tray

(the lower right corner)• Modem lights blinking when you aren’t doing

anything online.• Pop up windows when you don’t have any

programs running.

Help!?

• Sources for help: Internet, computer enthusiasts, your software/computer vendor tech support, maybe a local computer repair company.

• Have as much information as you can ready when you find you need to call for technical support.– Details about your computer.– Description of your problem.

“DOS is dead, (long live the command line)“

• Source for most of this material:– http://commandwindows.com

DOS is Dead

• There is a common misconception that the command prompt in Windows XP is the same as DOS

• Even Microsoft itself isn't always careful about the distinction

• There are some superficial resemblances• However, all remnants of DOS are totally gone

from the Windows XP kernel (there is a DOS emulator to run legacy apps)

File System Hierarchy

C:

C:

Absolute Path to here?

C:\windows\system32\drivers

C:

Relative Path from Windows to Drivers?

System32\drivers

C:

Relative path from system to drivers?

../system32/drivers

Internal Commandsassocdir move set break echo path setlocal call endlocal pause

shift cd exit popd start cls for prompt time colorftype

pushd title copy goto rd type date if rem verify del md ren volume

Common Usage

Command [arguments] Command [switches] [path to file or folder]Command [switches] [path] [path]

Common UsageExamples:dirdir /wdir /w c:\windowsdir /w /p ..

Common UsageExamples:copy mydoc.doc c:\files move c:\docs\* c:\backupsrename *.txt *.doc

Symbols used with commands

Symbol Function Example

> Sends output to a named file. If file does not exist, it creates one. Overwrites existing file command > somefile

>> Appends output to contents of a named file or creates a file if none exists command >> somefile

< Uses contents of a named file as input to a command command < somefile

¦ Sends ("pipes") the output of command1 to the input of command2 command1 ¦ command2

& Used to combine two commands. Executes command1 and then command2 command1 & command2

&& A conditional combination. Executes command2 if command1 completes successfully command1 && command2

¦¦ Command2 executes only if command1 does not complete successfully. command1 ¦¦ command2

@ Used in batch files at the beginning of a line to turn off the display of commands @echo off

Extended UsageExamples:dir c:\windows > windowsDirectoryList.txtdir | moreecho. | dateDel *.* < y.txt

Environmental Variables

• %username%• %systemroot%

• SET command• My Computer.Properties-

>Advanced.Environmental Variables

Exercises

• What’s the absolute path of Temp?• What’s the relative path from Temp to \ ?• What’s the relative path from Pagemaker to

Drivers?

C:

Exercises

• On a floppy, create this directory structure using the command line.

• Create a .txt file in the pagemaker directory• Copy and rename that file to the elements directory

using only one command• Write a batch script that will display the contents of

A:\, and write those contents (the listing) to a file called C:\acontents.txt, and then attempt to format the floppy

C:

Other resources

• http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/batch.mspx?mfr=true