{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T20:24:43+00:00","modifiedTime":"2017-06-01T13:59:54+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:18:52+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Computers","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33513"},"slug":"computers","categoryId":33513},{"name":"PCs","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33536"},"slug":"pcs","categoryId":33536}],"title":"Mantras of the PC Troubleshooter","strippedTitle":"mantras of the pc troubleshooter","slug":"mantras-of-the-pc-troubleshooter","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"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. Re","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"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.\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Restart Windows to cure common ills.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rarely do you need to reinstall Windows. Use the System File Checker to repair damage to Windows. Reinstall only after an unrecoverable disaster.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">When your computer is more than five years old, the problem is most likely the computer itself. Buy a new one.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">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.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Back up. Back up. Back up.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Use safe mode for troubleshooting only; do not run applications or finish your work in safe mode.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Create a System Repair Disk. Label it. Keep it handy.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">The best way to troubleshoot mass storage is to understand what a <em>file</em> is.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","description":"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.\r\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Restart Windows to cure common ills.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Rarely do you need to reinstall Windows. Use the System File Checker to repair damage to Windows. Reinstall only after an unrecoverable disaster.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">When your computer is more than five years old, the problem is most likely the computer itself. Buy a new one.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">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.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Back up. Back up. Back up.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Use safe mode for troubleshooting only; do not run applications or finish your work in safe mode.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">Create a System Repair Disk. Label it. Keep it handy.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n\t<li>\r\n<p class=\"first-para\">The best way to troubleshoot mass storage is to understand what a <em>file</em> is.</p>\r\n</li>\r\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9003,"name":"Dan Gookin","slug":"dan-gookin","description":" <p><b>Dan Gookin</b> wrote the very first <i>For Dummies</i> book in 1991. With more than 11 million copies in print, his books have been translated into 32 languages. <i>PCs For Dummies,</i> now in its 12th edition, is the bestselling beginning PC book in the world. Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com. 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Mantras of the PC Troubleshooter

By: Dan Gookin and

Updated: 06-01-2017

From The Book: Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition

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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.

Restart Windows to cure common ills.
Rarely do you need to reinstall Windows. Use the System File Checker to repair damage to Windows. Reinstall only after an unrecoverable disaster.
When your computer is more than five years old, the problem is most likely the computer itself. Buy a new one.
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.
Back up. Back up. Back up.
Use safe mode for troubleshooting only; do not run applications or finish your work in safe mode.
Create a System Repair Disk. Label it. Keep it handy.
The best way to troubleshoot mass storage is to understand what a file is.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies, 3rd Edition ,

About the book author:

Dan Gookin wrote the very first For Dummies book in 1991. With more than 11 million copies in print, his books have been translated into 32 languages. PCs For Dummies, now in its 12th edition, is the bestselling beginning PC book in the world. Dan offers tips, games, and fun at www.wambooli.com.

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