First thing to do is to determine the problem?
There are essentially 4 types of problem...
Hardware error, this is probably the least likely
of the lot. However it does happen, hard disks are the most notorious
of all hardware for failing. This is never considered a possibility
when using a computer, and the implications usually mean bye bye
data.
User error, once you've established you can't
get to a web site address because the user is typing in an email
address as the web site address or they have the wrong ISP email
server address, the problem is solved. In most cases a problem is
down to user error, or user confusion. Configuration errors also
come under this heading, as it's not a problem but more a "oh
I didn't know I needed to do that" issue.
Code error, where there is a 'bug' in the code
which caused the application to crash. Code errors are reproducible
on every PC where the same steps can be performed to reproduce the
error. In other words a manufacturing defect. These are out of our
control, and back to the software vender to fix it.
System error. This error is the most complicated
problem to solve, and the target of this guide to help you through.
This is where a problem occurs due a missing file, a version mismatch
or anything else which doesn't come under the first two error headings.
Basically caused by a mix of applications, dodgy installation, something
incorrect in the registry, or perhaps even a hardware fault etc.
I've included Registry errors in this because problems in the Registry
are more often than not caused by a dodgy installation.
Once you've identified the type of problem, you can then progress
on to gathering information about the problem to look for a cause. |
