Techno Buddy: Getting a bang from computer repair

In the past, and with some success based on your e-mails, we have discussed repair methods for those who enjoy tinkering with a computer. But today I'm talking to an even larger group -- those willing to try a few simple fixes but those without either the desire to imitate a real technician or Matt's talent at banging and cursing.

Since most of us don't fully understand the way a computer works, we often panic at the first sign of a glitch. We feel compelled to do something, even when we don't have the slightest notion of what might be wrong. That sort of instant reaction -- blind tinkering -- is probably the leading cause of death for computers.

So Step One when faced with a balky computer is this: Do nothing. Turn off the computer and take the dog for a walk, have a big glass of iced tea or take a nap. After a bit of time passes, turn on the computer and see if it works. If it does work, forgive and forget without further molesting the computer.

There will be times though -- and too many of them -- when the computer will continues to display the same symptoms when you turn it on again. Since Matt isn't a good role model for the would-be computer fixer, let me offer up Scott, my brother and a physician, and Joe, my stepdaughter's boyfriend and a car mechanic.

I picked Scott because a basic rule of medicine is to first do no harm. And Joe is a good choice because any good car mechanic knows you should check to make sure the car isn't out of gas before starting to rebuild the engine.

So, with those two good men looking over our shoulders, let's tackle the problem.

Scott and Joe would tell you that many problems are ones we cause ourselves -- whether it's failing to change the oil in a car or developing health problems because of consistently having too many slices of pie after dinner.

When it comes to computers, that translates into spending a few moments considering changes you've made just prior to the computer glitch. Even something as simple as updating a program, or adding a device like a printer, can send a computer into a tailspin. So if you have made recent changes, undo them -- uninstall new programs, remove new updates, unplug new devices. Then turn the computer off and back on again to see what happens. If that fixes the problem, then go to the website of the hardware or software that you removed to see if the manufacturer has a fix that will let you use it successfully.

But if that doesn't fix the problem, then it's smart to use the System Restore feature built into Windows. It almost magically returns a computer to a time when it was working correctly. Just type the word "restore" into the Windows search box to see how to use it. Often times that will get the computer running again.

I know all this sounds dull compared to getting out your favorite screwdrivers or -- for folks like Matt -- a nice hammer or two. But I'm comfortable saying that if you try these steps in the order given, at least 75 percent of all computer problems will disappear.

What about the 25 percent of problems that remain? If you've got one of those, you're still sitting at a computer that doesn't work. There are things you can try, including carefully making a list of symptoms then using those keywords in Google to find possible fixes. If you are handy, careful and persistent that's not a bad approach.

And if you are skilled and lucky, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you faced down a balky computer and won.

For the rest of you, those who want to spend their free time at more rewarding pursuits, it's time to stop. Pat yourself on the back because you didn't "fix" your computer into total ruin.

Unplug the computer and take it to a good repair shop. You are smart enough to know that the best tool for fixing a computer is made of plastic and has your name right on it: a credit card.