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Restart Windows to cure common ills. 
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Rarely do you need to reinstall Windows. Use the System File Checker to repair damage to Windows. Reinstall only after an unrecoverable disaster. 
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When your computer is more than five years old, the problem is most likely the computer itself. Buy a new one. 
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The best hardware upgrades are memory and storage, in that order. If the system needs a new processor, it's better just to buy a new PC. 
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Back up. Back up. Back up. 
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Use safe mode for troubleshooting only; do not run applications or finish your work in safe mode. 
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Create a System Repair Disk. Label it. Keep it handy. 
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The best way to troubleshoot mass storage is to understand what a file is. 
Change causes trouble. Recall the items you've changed recently and you can better pinpoint problems and devise solutions. Use this list as a starting place.



