Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[ual902]

He probably uses a program like ShareX, they make uploading screenshots much easier.

Thanks this?  https://getsharex.com/ Is it free?

[etech0]

Thanks this?  https://getsharex.com/ Is it free?

That's the one I use, and it's free. There are lots of configuration options. I have it set so that when I press control-printscreen, I can click and drag to select an area, and then it automatically uploads a screenshot to imgur and puts the imgur url into my clipboard. So then I just go to DDF, click the Image button (next to the youtube button) and paste the url.

[DanH]

I actually alt-printscrn, save as jpg in paint, and then uploaded manually to imgur.  But sharex is a great alternative

[travel-ing]

My internet is not working both by Ethernet and by wifi. It registers as connected but still says no internet.
Any ideas?

[Work-for-ur-muny]

My internet is not working both by Ethernet and by wifi. It registers as connected but still says no internet.
Any ideas?

First try right-clicking on the icon at the bottom right of the screen and click "troubleshoot problems". IME that resolved many issues.

[Iz]

My laptop keyboard is not working properly, probably because some water spilled on it. Any suggestions? (I don't think rice is an option for an item this size.) Thanks.

[David R]

My laptop keyboard is not working properly, probably because some water spilled on it. Any suggestions? (I don't think rice is an option for an item this size.) Thanks.

You're worried about rice getting in the keyboard? Try a mesh bag.
Need a cheap solution that will work until it dries out and even if it never works again? Plug in a USB keyboard.
Need a repair? Buy a replacement keyboard for your particular laptop.

[Live N Learn]

My laptop keyboard is not working properly, probably because some water spilled on it. Any suggestions? (I don't think rice is an option for an item this size.) Thanks.

If your a bit handy, replacing it shouldn't be a big deal, and only costs a few bucks. Google your laptop model.

[Iz]

You're worried about rice getting in the keyboard? Try a mesh bag.
Need a cheap solution that will work until it dries out and even if it never works again? Plug in a USB keyboard.
Need a repair? Buy a replacement keyboard for your particular laptop.

Sorry for the delayed response, but I was having KB trouble...
I wasn't worried about the rice getting in; it's just quite large and cumbersome...
Yes, I have another KB, but then it's not soo portable.
Anyway, now it seems to be better.
Thanks!

[Iz]

If your a bit handy, replacing it shouldn't be a big deal, and only costs a few bucks. Google your laptop model.

Yep, thanks.

[etech0]

My desktop has been making a humming/buzzing noise, on and off. It gets louder and quieter. Any idea what it could be?

[David R]

My desktop has been making a humming/buzzing noise, on and off. It gets louder and quieter. Any idea what it could be?

Try to use your ear to determine if it is coming from the external speakers, internal speaker, hard drive or fan.
Nearby cell phones can cause interference with speakers that are not adequately shielded, so if it's coming from external speakers, see if keeping all cell phones at a distance helps.
If you think it might be from the hard drive, you can shut down completely, then unplug power from the hard drive and turn it back on with the hard drive disconnected. If you determine it's from the hard drive, make sure you have all your data backed up and get it replaced.
Fans can start making noise, especially after they collect a lot of dust. If blowing them out does not help, you can replace them, except for the fan inside the power supply, which is not generally opened.

[etech0]

Try to use your ear to determine if it is coming from the external speakers, internal speaker, hard drive or fan.
Nearby cell phones can cause interference with speakers that are not adequately shielded, so if it's coming from external speakers, see if keeping all cell phones at a distance helps.
If you think it might be from the hard drive, you can shut down completely, then unplug power from the hard drive and turn it back on with the hard drive disconnected. If you determine it's from the hard drive, make sure you have all your data backed up and get it replaced.
Fans can start making noise, especially after they collect a lot of dust. If blowing them out does not help, you can replace them, except for the fan inside the power supply, which is not generally opened.

Thanks for answering! There are no speakers plugged in, and I don't think there are internal ones. I just blew out the dust last week and it didn't help the noise. I'll test if it's the hard drive. If it turns out it's a fan, how would I know which one? Also, is it bad for the computer to run it with a bad fan?

[David R]

Thanks for answering! There are no speakers plugged in, and I don't think there are internal ones. I just blew out the dust last week and it didn't help the noise. I'll test if it's the hard drive. If it turns out it's a fan, how would I know which one? Also, is it bad for the computer to run it with a bad fan?

You could briefly unplug each fan, one at a time, to see if the noise stops when you do so. If the bad fan is running too slow, it could fail to adequately perform its function, which is to prevent overheating.

[avromie7]

If the bad fan is running too slow, it could fail to adequately perform its function, which is to prevent overheating.

Technically true but not really such a big deal

[Work-for-ur-muny]

Before making it as complicated as opening up, get a can of compressed air and blow out the dust. See if that works. I do it every once in a while through all openings on my laptop, and I find that runs noticeably cooler afterward.

[etech0]

Before making it as complicated as opening up, get a can of compressed air and blow out the dust. See if that works. I do it every once in a while through all openings on my laptop, and I find that runs noticeably cooler afterward.

Already did that.

You could briefly unplug each fan, one at a time, to see if the noise stops when you do so. If the bad fan is running too slow, it could fail to adequately perform its function, which is to prevent overheating.

Technically true but not really such a big deal

thanks! What do you mean that it's not such a big deal? Any reason not to ignore the noise?

[etech0]

The computer has also been turning off randomly. Is that related?

[avromie7]

The computer has also been turning off randomly. Is that related?

Checks the event viewer

[etech0]

Checks the event viewer

There's lots of stuff in there! What am I looking for?