My computer won’t start or lost power: what do I do?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Rob Ryan

If your computer won’t start or your screen went blank, try these troubleshooting steps:

Is it Your Computer?

  • When you press the power button do any lights come on? If not, check BOTH ENDS of the power cord. Make sure they are fully inserted.
  • Make sure the power strip is turned on and plugged in all the way.
  • If your computer’s power lights are on, it might just be your monitor.

Is it Your Monitor?

If the computer itself seems to be working, it might be a problem with your monitor:

  • Check the power button on the monitor. This is usually located along one of the edges of the screen.
  • Check the power cable for the monitor–both ends. Sometimes these work loose.
  • Check both ends of the cable that connects the computer to the screen. Make sure it is firmly in place. These can get kicked loose. If the cable has screws to hold it in place, tighten them down.
  • If your computer is on, try restarting your computer.

Is it Your Docking Station?

  • If you use a laptop with a docking station, check the power to the docking station: the power cable needs to be firmly in place at both ends (typically there is no power button on the docking station to check).
  • Check the cable that connects your laptop to the docking station: is anything loose?
  • Check the cable between your monitor and docking station.
  • Try restarting your computer.

Posted in Basic Computing | Leave a comment

How to Change Your default Printer

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Rob Ryan
  • Type the word “printers” (without quotes) into the Windows search tool.
Windows search tool
  • Select Printers & scanners from the search results.

    Search Results: Printers and Scanners
  • To let Windows manage default printers, scroll to the bottom of your list of printers and select the appropriate checkbox.
    Let Windows Manage Default Printer
  • To manually set your default printer, select your printer from the list and click the “Manage” button. Then click the “Set as Default” button.
    Manage Printer
    Select Printer as Default
  • And you’re done!
Posted in Printing, Tips and Tricks, Windows | Leave a comment

Why Isn’t My Mouse or Keyboard Working?

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Rob Ryan

First question: is it a wireless or wired device?

Wireless Mouse or Keyboard

What to check:

  • Is it turned off? Check for a switch on the bottom of the mouse or back of the keyboard.
  • Are the batteries dead? Try replacing them.
  • Is the dongle still there? Wireless accessories often require a “dongle” to receive the signals from the device. Check the computer’s USB ports to make sure it hasn’t gone missing.
  • Try moving the dongle to a different USB port.
  • Try restarting your computer.
Wireless Dongle

Standard (Wired) Mouse or Keyboard

  • Check the wire where it plugs into your computer: is it firmly in place? Unplug it and plug it back in.
  • No luck? Try moving it to a different USB port on your computer.
  • Try restarting your computer.
  • If the problem is with one or two keys on your keyboard (they stick, or they feel different than the other keys, or maybe they don’t work at all), you probably need a new keyboard.
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