Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners » troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Your High Speed Internet Connection

Rick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:26:48 +0000

This tip needs to come back to the front page again. I've helped many more people the last few weeks with this issue. Please print it and hang it by your computer...and send it your friends as well.

I posted this tip many moons ago, but wanted to bring it back to the front page because we have so many new high speed Internet users. Click the Printer Friendly option at the bottom of this tip, print it out and post it next to your computer...you will be glad you did.

Routers take high speed Internet signals and then distribute the signal (route) to multiple computers. Sometimes, however, the signal gets lost and an Internet connection cannot be made. This can be due to multiple reasons, but most can be rectified the same way. Before you reach for the phone or grumble under your breath, follow this simple and highly effective procedure to get your system(s) up and running again.

Shut off all computers.
Unplug the power from the high speed modem.
Unplug the power from

It’s OK to shut computer off with the power button

Rick — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:12:59 +0000

We have discussed this topic many times, but I continue to hear from people who forget this simple troubleshooting step. When a problem arises that seems insurmountable or you can't move your mouse or type on your keyboard, shut the computer off at the switch.

There are two ways to shut your computer off when a problem occurs...actually three ways.

Push and hold the on/off button in for at least fifteen seconds or until you hear the computer shut off (don't just push it once and let go...nothing will happen).
Flip the switch on your surge protector. Yes, we should all use surge protectors...good ones.
Reach around the back of the computer and pull out the power cable.

Once you shut your computer off this way, let it sit in the off position for a few minutes before turning it on again. If you are using Windows 95/98/Me, don't worry if it barks at you a little for 'not properly shutting down'. With any computer, this isn't the preferred method of shutting off the computer, but in a pinch it usually gets you out of a jam.

Stop the Microsoft Office Agreement (EULA) from popping up every time you start Outlook, or Word or Excel

Rick — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:28:22 +0000

If you are using Microsoft Office 2003 and Windows Vista, you might run into a situation where the End User License Agreement pops up every time you start Outlook, Word, Excel or other Office programs. No matter how many times you click "I agree", the license keeps appearing. To stop the EULA from appearing, follow these steps:

Close ALL Microsoft Office related programs (Outlook, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, or Word)
Click Start --> Computer
Double-click the C drive (your primary hard drive)
Double-Click the Program Files folder
Double-Click the Microsoft Office folder
Double-Click the Office 11 folder
RIGHT Click on any of the Office applications (Winword, Outlook, Excel)
Click Run as Administrator
The program will start and ask you to agree to the EULA (agreement) again and click I agree or Yes
Close the program
Close all open windows

Now you can use your Office 2003 programs normally.

How can I increase traffic to my site?

Rick — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:09:52 +0000

What a week! For some reason, my scheduling went a little awry this week and made for some long days. In addition to my scheduling problems, however, I could have saved a ton of time (thus the 3 day hiatus of new posts) and my clients could have saved a lot of money if they were more diligent about backing up their data and keeping track of passwords and software.

This web site is exactly the same age as my business...almost 13 years old. In those thirteen years, I can emphatically claim that customers who read my site daily and follow the advice and tips have far less problems and trouble with their computers than those who never visit. And when regular readers of HelpMeRick.com do need an on site consultation from me, they rarely last longer than an hour and usually involve more instruction that troubleshooting. After building this site for 13 years and adding to it almost daily, I can answer at least eighty percent of the most common computer questions with articles found right here at HelpMeRick.com.

I pose the question to you, the faithful HelpMeRick.com visitor: What can

You can do what I do

Rick — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:39:37 +0000

I love learning. My goal is to learn something new every single day I open my eyes. Luckily, I learn multiple new ideas, techniques, or facts every single day. When it comes to my job troubleshooting computers, I believe anyone can do it if they follow the formula I use.

You need to be able to be able to learn and learn quickly. Computers, software, peripherals and the infinite combinations of them change at a rapid pace. Learning to be flexible and adaptable is a must.
Remember and/or document solutions that you discover so you can use them again.
Work with as many different computers and situations as possible. Every computer is different than the next because of the way they are configured, what software is installed, whether the software has been updated, what security packages are installed, and more make every computer a unique challenge. The more of them you work with, the better your foundation becomes for the next one.
Read as many online troubleshooting blogs, tech newsletters, support pages, and magazines as you can possibly digest. And again, document and/or remember the information that you deem the most helpful or applicable to everyday computer users.
Hone your Internet searching skills (I use Google almost exclusively) so you can quickly find answers to problems you may have not yet encountered. When I say hone your skills, I mean learn how to properly word a search phrase and re-word it if necessary. Learn how to quickly scan the results of a search for the most logical and applicable result. Learn how to use tabs in your browser to make your searches and reading even faster. Learn how to discern which possible solutions apply to your specific situation. And finally, learn how to properly implement the solution you just found.
Learning to carry out a solution requires that you to learn how to safely and properly make use of tools like Windows Device Manager, the registry editor, the command prompt, task manager, computer management tool, anti-virus, and anti-spwyare scans to name a few.
Always keep track of the steps you take as you work towards a solution. By keeping track and leaving yourself some bread crumbs, you can often back track if a solution results in a dead end and you need to star over.
And most importantly, follow Harry Callahan's (Clint Eastwood) advice, "A man's got to know his limitations." Computer problems can eat up more time than a late night infomercial. Know when to walk away and re-evaluate a situation.

I've laid out most of the steps and techniques I use every day to solve computer problems. Feel free to use them and develop your own skills. When you decide that you need more help, follow Callahan's advice and then call in the professionals.

Your one stop troubleshooting spot

Rick — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:47:42 +0000

In the almost 14 years that I have devoted to helping computer users, I have discovered a few computing standards:

Many computer problems can be solved by simply restarting the computer.
In the event of a mouse, keyboard, monitor, sound, printer or Internet problem, always triple check your cables to make sure everything is plugged in securely.
Much to the dismay of computer users, almost all problems were caused in some way by something we did or didn't do...usually unknowingly or inadvertently.
Your neighbor/co-worker/family member/ cannot fix your computer.
Very few computer users backup their important data.

With these five basic rules established, use my basic troubleshooting tips for printers, sound, Internet (click here) and other problems BEFORE panicking and before calling tech support. You will be pleasantly surprised how either performing rule #1 above or using these guides can dig you out of a problem rather quickly.

Printer Troubleshooting 101

Rick — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:49:46 +0000

Lately, I've run across many printer problems so I'm going to share with you my formula for approaching a printer problem.

Shut off computer
Shut off printer
Check cable from printer to computer and make sure it is securely plugged in on both sides
Check cable from printer to power source and make they plugged in well.
Turn the printer on and wait for it to go through all of its startup activities (wait until it is quiet)

If the printer happens to be a HP printer, I will sometimes unplug the power cable from the back of the printer, then

Are Macintosh computers poised to make a run?

Rick — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:19:29 +0000

JUNE 2008 UPDATE:

I wrote the article below two years ago, ran across it tonight and wanted to write an update to it. At the time I wrote it, I think the now famous Apple and PC guy commercials had just started ramping up and the ominous steps towards Windows Vista were getting closer. My words probably weren't unique at the time, and I don't claim to be a sage, but it is astonishing how much the market has really changed since 2006. Linux continues to make a bigger splash world wide, and I continue to install it on more computers here in Western Colorado. Apple's sales and stock price are literally going through the roof. My Macintosh service calls (mostly for ordering and training...rarely for troubleshooting) continue to escalate as well. Almost 18 months into Windows Vista, I see the machines on only about 10% of my appointment mostly because no one is buying them.

Today, Apple announced their new iPhone version 2.0 will be released in July. Three to four years ago, Microsoft was starting to increase market share of their mobile operating system with their mobile Windows in the smartphone arena. Palm and Blackberry used to dominate that market, but Microsoft was predicted to dominate. Then in June 2007, Apple released the iPhone to extremely positive reviews and cell phone consumers who couldn't get their hands on one fast enough.

Since then, all other smartphone operating systems have take a hit and iPhone users, largely, couldn't be happier. I personally have 5-6 clients who are pretty picky phone users and have owned literally dozens of phones over the years, but say they wouldn't trade their iPhone for anything at the moment. The new iPhone 3G (faster cell speeds) announced today improves on every facet of an already excellent product. The new iPhone 3G will be cheaper, faster, slightly smaller, have a longer battery and talk-time life, offer GPS navigation and incorporate a brand new platform that will allow developers to invent new ways to use this already versatile tool.

What are your thoughts on my older story below and this new story you just read? Also, what do you think of the new iPhone 3G...hype or substance? Leave me a comment below!!

Story below originally posted on 2006-05-09 16:40:45 -0600

I helped a customer configure a new Macintosh laptop today. This was the third time in a

I no longer recommend Ubuntu or Macintosh

Rick — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:53:26 +0000

If I keep recommending Linux/Ubuntu and Apple Macintosh to my customers, I will have to find another line of work. Admittedly, I came to the Linux table very late (just over a year now) and have only been luke warm to Macintosh over the years. Windows Vista put me over the edge last year, and I started looking seriously at other operating systems. What I found in both Ubuntu and Mac OSX was an extremely stable, secure, easy-to-use operating system. I estimate that over the past 18 months or so, I have recommended and help setup more than 2 dozen Apple computers or Linux computers that I either installed Ubuntu on or were bought new.

Brain transplant

Rick — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:46:20 +0000

If I could impart one aspect of my computer knowledge to everyone who uses a computer, it would be the ability to understand file management.

File management, in the computer world, means how information (files) are stored and utilized on a computer system. Understanding file management, means understanding: