Introduction
PC users have been on their own for years when it came to troubleshooting and repairing problems with the Windows operating system. It's common for the average consumer to obtain a new PC from a local electronics or computer store, and the OS is already preinstalled and ready for use. Many major PC manufacturers have a quality assurance process that makes sure the computer starts up properly.
As time goes on and people install third-party software to a PC, errors and malfunctions are bound to occur -- the operative word being "third-party." The Microsoft Corporation is the develop of the Windows operating system, but the company is not responsible for the repair of other software programs that are made by other companies. In many instances, a new software program is developed a very skilled and intelligent individual who publishes the software on his or her own. If something goes wrong with the operating system, Microsoft can usually offer free or paid support, online or over the telephone.
Troubleshooting and doing a repair of another company's software is difficult for any company, including a big organization like Microsoft. Nonetheless, there has been a building demand from consumers and businesses alike to have technical support when software goes wrong. Some in the business world might know as software as a service, or SaaS. If you own a later version of the OS, such as Windows 7, you might have access to a software utility in Windows that can troubleshoot and repair native OS files and maybe even your third party files.
Step 1
Close every active program and window that is currently open your computer screen, including those programs related to the Windows operating system. For example, close the Windows Device Manager utility, which is what controls and organizes the device drivers on your PC. Doing so will devote your system resources, such as processing time and memory, to doing the troubleshooting and repair on the software.
Step 2
Click on the Start button in the bottom left hand corner of the desktop. Type the following words in the search box at the bottom of the Start Menu: "Find and Fix Problems." Press the Enter key to open a window or dialog box. This is the native utility that will troubleshoot and repair Windows software.
Step 3
Wait a few minutes while the program completes a scan of what software is having problems in Windows, and needs to undergo a repair.
Step 4
Read the results of the scan and make a personal determination on which troubleshooting options can repair the software in Windows. Some maybe be unnecessary steps that you have already exercised.
Step 5
Follow the instructions on the screen in order to complete the repair of software in Windows.
Tips
Use the Windows System Restore utility to undo an software repair efforts that had adverse effects.
Sources and Citations
- " How do I fix network adapter problems?." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/fix-network-adapter-problems>.
- " Make older programs run in this version of Windows." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows>.
- " Open the Playing Audio troubleshooter." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Playing-Audio-troubleshooter>.
- " Tips for fixing common sound problems." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-sound-problems>.
- " Troubleshoot AutoPlay problems." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshoot-AutoPlay-problems>.
- " Troubleshoot problems with creating a DVD-Video using Windows DVD Maker." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-creating-a-DVD-Video-using-Windows-DVD-Maker>.
- " Troubleshoot problems with installing updates - WindowsUpdate_dt000." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-installing-updates>.
- " Troubleshoot problems with removing updates." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-removing-updates>.
- " Troubleshooting in Windows." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshooting-in-Windows>.
- " Using the Network troubleshooter in Windows 7." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-the-Network-troubleshooter-in-Windows-7>.
- " Why can’t I connect to a network?." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-can-t-I-connect-to-a-network>.
- " Why can’t I connect to the Internet?." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-can-t-I-connect-to-the-Internet>.
- " Troubleshoot camera connection problems." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Troubleshoot-camera-connection-problems>.
