My laptop is too slow.

Is it slow when you're on the Internet or just slow in general?

What a good troubleshooting question, Kayla.

Thanks Techne.

It just seems so slow when I'm switching between programs.

Well, Franklin, I guess that rules out a networking issue.

So it must be something with your device.

Narrowing down the problem is also great troubleshooting.

Hey Techne, can you fix it?

I think this calls for a team effort to troubleshoot the problem.

Are you both up for that?

Yes.

Let me give you my top troubleshooting tips.

Number one, it can be frustrating when there's a problem with your computing devices, hardware or software, so be sure to keep calm.

The problem may be simple to fix, but you won't know unless you are in a calm troubleshooting mindset.

Okay, let's all take a deep, calming breath before we begin.

Tip two - Save it.

Any time before you restart or take some other troubleshooting, step on your computing device.

You want to make sure you save your work.

Oh, and make sure to save it to a folder where you know you can find it again.

Thanks for reminding me.

I would have been upset if I lost the project I was working on.

What if the issue prevents you from saving your work?

That can definitely be a problem.

That's why it is important to save your work multiple times.

Some programs do this automatically, but it is always best to check .

What's next?

Tip three - Check it.

Are the cords connected correctly?

Do the electrical outlets work?

What is the status of the battery or wi fi connection?

When's the last time you did a virus scan?

But looks like your battery is at 90% and you are connected to the internet.

Tip four - restart it.

If it's just one program that is giving you trouble.

You can try closing the program and restarting it.

But if it seems like more of a system wide problem, like your laptop slowing down, you can restart the computer itself.

When was the last time you shut down your laptop?

I don't know.

It's been a while.

Why would that make my computer slow?

The computer memory in your laptop is like a juggler keeping track of all the software and files that are currently open.

When too many apps are open it has to slow things down to keep up.

Shutting down or restarting your laptop reduces the number of things your computer memory has to keep track of.

What if that doesn't fix the problem?

My final troubleshooting tip is to repeat it.

Being able to repeat the steps to recreate the problem may help you narrow it down.

Remember that no one person is an expert at all the components that make up a computing device, so you may need to ask for help and whoever you ask will really appreciate all the troubleshooting steps you have already done.

Want to practice some more troubleshooting?

Yes.

That's awesome.

I get lots of emails asking for help.

Here's one.

Do your Techne.

My homework won't print.

I'm going to miss a deadline for sure.

Tabitha.

Well, first of all, she needs to calm down.

Then she needs to save her homework.

Great start.

What next?

I wonder if she got an error message.

I think she could check if her printer is on.

If it is, she could try printing to it from another program.

If that doesn't work, she can try restarting her laptop.

I wonder if she could try restarting her printer?

Yes.

If it's her printer at home or work.

What if none of this works?

That's okay.

Remember, we can't know it all.

What's the next step that will give us more information?

Identifying the steps to repeat the problem.

That's right.

You both did great.

And I'm proud to present you with your troubleshoot badges.

Awesome.