Almost all of us are using computers and computers like other equipment tend to give us some troubles, malfunctions or other problems that prevent us from working on them properly. Since computers are modular and combined from many different hardware devices, the most important tip is to be able to understand what might cause the problem, isolate the problem to identify the cause. We can replace the supposed problematic device with another working one, to see if the problem is solved or not, then move to another symptom and doing the same thing.

Network Problems & Internet:

When we have problems surfing the internet, or connecting to our other computer on our local network (At home or at work) we can:

1. Check the cables are connected properly.

2. Reset our router & modem (those might get stuck and reset renew their connection and IP’s).

3. Check the dialer on your Computer/Router (The dialer connects to the ISP, maybe it got erased, or password had changed for some reason).

Computer Doesn’t Start:
When computers do not start it can be a couple of things that need to be checked.

1. First, unplug the electrical cable from the Power Supply and then re-connect the electricity cable to the Power Supply. (Power supply has a fuse that gets locked in case of overload to keep the power supply from burning up – when unplug and re-plug the electricity cable, you release that fuse and the power supply can work again).

2. The next stage in case the 1st one doesn’t work is to find/buy another working Power Supply, and replace the one that you currently have – to see if now it will work (it’s good to have a spare Power Supply anyway).

3. Then if the previous options do not work and the computer still doesn’t start – it might be a motherboard issue (the motherboard might be burned), so you need to take it to the computer lab, to replace the motherboard. (Replacing the motherboard should effect you saved information and replacing it will enable the computer to work as it worked before, with all of your information, operating system and data intact).

The computer is a lot of noise: Loud annoying noises from the computer usually means that the computer parts are either too old and got fatigued, or the computer is full of dust.

* Open the side of the computer, and look inside. The parts that might cause noises are usually the computer fans, there are fans that cool the whole computer and all of its parts, and they are usually on the back, top, and side of the computer – you can easily see them.
The other noise fan might be the fan above the CPU which will mostly be in a center of the motherboard and of course, some graphic cards have fans to cool them down, so it might be on the side of your graphic card – which will be connected to the

white slots on the motherboard – with a side going out of the back (so you could connect your screen cables).

** Check if everything is dusty:
a. Dusty:

1. Take a small brush (small painters clean brush), and use it slowly to remove the dust from the dusty fans, you will be amazed how quiet the computer will become once you have cleaned all of the dust off from the fans (they will be able to work smoothly and easily).

b. No Dust:

1. This means that the noisy fan is fatigue, and needs to be replaced.
2. Buy a new fan – same size – and replace the noisy fan (you will need to open the 4 screws from the 4 corners of the fan – that simple).

The screen doesn’t work:
When you notice your computer works, but you can’t see anything on your screen, there is a couple of troubleshooting you can do:

1. Check the cable connections between the screen and the computer’s graphic card (make sure it is fastened and connected properly).
2. Verify the electric cable to the screen is in the electric socket – then unplug the electric cable from the screen – then re-plug the electric cable to the screen making sure it went into the socket all the way in.
3. Another option might be related to a screen resolution – if you are setting a resolution that doesn’t fit the screen – it will remain blank. So, you can reboot the computer (when the computer loads – you should be able to see the DOS (black screen) showing the loading commands – then press “F8” and choose to load in safe mode – (the computer will load windows in a low resolution – then log in to your computer – set the screen resolution to a low one – and reboot the computer – then re-try to fit the resolution that is compatible with your screen).

Linux, what is that operating system? why is it becoming such a required operating system? why do we need to get to know it? There are so many questions like that about Linux that I would like to calm down. Now that I had the chance of getting to know Linux pretty well, I can honestly say that there is much potential for the open-source operating systems. You can basically get all of the things you were used to getting from the Windows operating system, and much more.

There are many tools in Linux, which are free and there are easy techniques to get those tools downloaded and installed on your system. You just need to learn a couple of basic tools that enable you to control these operating systems. My favorite Linux operating system is UBUNTU and I believe many do think like me about it. This operating system is the most convenient and relatively easy to use, it would be recommended to start learning Linux with this operating system.

Linux has two options (all free of course), the first option is the desktop option the other is the server option. The desktop option is a version that includes the graphic interface (Gnome or KDE are the most common) which resembles what you know from the Windows operating system. The operation of the desktop is much the same, there are many built-in applications included in each Linux operating system. The Linux server option, gives you a black screen command prompt, like DOS in windows, which enables you to use all of Linux options, which most of it is being done on the text mode (the desktop interface is just redundant). Linux servers can become anything you want, either a web server, FTP server and much more. Any application in the computer world that you think of, you can create and install in Linux and all of those applications and tools are free, just install, configure and you’re up and running.

Linux has an open office that can open documents saved by the Windows operating system. There are many other built-in applications within the desktop version. All of those tools are free, and most of them will cover all of your needs, either for home use or for your office purpose.

The only issue I am missing in Linux is the computer games option. Currently, I am unfamiliar with any good games as we know in windows on a Linux machine. But, I assume in time this will happen as well since Linux is slowly becoming a real fact in the computer world.