Top 10 Things Your IT Professional Would Like You to Know

4. Slow computer at startup
It’s Monday. You are running a little late. You dash into the office and turn your computer on. It is taking forever to get to your login screen! What’s the deal? The majority of the time a slow computer at startup means that you have too many programs running in the background trying to load when you just want to login. Sometimes it may be programs that came with your computer that you really don’t need, especially if you purchased your computer at a retail location. It also may be programs that have latched on when you visited a website. The answer? Call your IT professional to clean up your Startup Menu. You could try and do it yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There are too many programs you do need that you could innocently remove, which would cause your computer to function improperly and in some cases cease to function altogether.
 
5. Log off
When asked to log off your computer, you just need to sign off. Nothing should be shut down or turned off. Click on your Start icon at the bottom left hand of your monitor screen, go over to Shutdown and hover over the arrow next to Shutdown (do not click), then click on Log off.
 
6. Restart
When asked to restart your computer, you need to use the specific restart function. Click on your Start icon at the bottom left hand of your monitor screen, go over to Shutdown and hover over the arrow (do not click), click on Restart.
 
7. Hard Shut-down
When asked to do a hard shut-down on your computer. Press and hold the power button (usually on the front of the computer, not the monitor) until the computer shuts down. Usually the tech will want you to wait 10 seconds to 2 minutes and then power it back on, pressing the power button again. In some cases where he knows you have a severe infection he may ask you to leave it off until he arrives.
 
8. Local printer vs. Network Printer
A local printer is one that only you can print to. In most cases there is a direct line from that printer to your computer.
A network printer is one that is setup on your IT Network and multiple people can print to it.
 
9. Noises
Beeping: Is it coming from the speaker for your system, the actual CPU, or the UPS? For the sake of clarity the UPS is the piece of equipment you plug everything into, also known as the battery backup. Most of the time a beeping sound will be coming from the UPS and it means you need to replace the battery in it.
Clicking: If you hear a clicking sound when you are accessing your CD-ROM, you may have a problem and the CD-ROM drive may need to be replaced.

High Pitch Noise from Computer: This could mean that your fan may need to be replaced within the computer.

Hard Thump: This could result from a bad hard disk drive. Have it checked out by an IT professional.

Loud pop or crack from the speakers after your computer has been turned on: A crack or pop when you initially turn on your computer is not uncommon. However should it continue, try moving your speakers to an alternate spot. If that does not help, you probably need to replace the speakers.
 
10.  If you aren’t sure how to fix something- don’t
One of the most harmful things you can do to your computer is to try to resolve something on your own if you aren’t sure what you are doing. Don’t forget, you can always call your friendly IT professionals at Binatech System Solutions, Inc.