Canadian Finance Blog

Posted: 04 Jan 2012 02:00 AM PST

I’m lucky enough to have grown up with technology. In elementary school we had a computer lab where they taught us to type, play games, even program a little. In high school I could do the majority of my work on a computer, or using the internet for research and writing papers. I was one of the first to get a broadband internet connection, I was on Facebook as soon as they opened it up outside of universities, I’ve had multiple smart phones, game consoles, and I’ve now even built my own computer. So it isn’t surprising to me that I can do my own tech support, because I’ve grown up with the technology, and even if I don’t understand how it works or how to fix it, I know where to look to find out.

The big secret that we have, however, is not a gigantic encyclopedic knowledge of everything to do with technology. We have a basic understand of most troubleshooting steps to take when things go wrong, and we know where to look when that doesn’t work. So the next time your computer breaks or you can’t get your new HDTV working, follow these steps before you pay someone else to fix it for you.

Reboot

It’s a common joke in the tech world – the first step is to turn the device off, wait, and then turn it back on again. It sounds ridiculous, and it sounds like it shouldn’t work. But it does. 50% of the time, a simple reboot or power cycle will fix the problem. Computer acting weird? Reboot it. Can’t get onto the internet? Power cycle the modem/router. TV can’t recognize the game console/set top box/DVD player? Disconnect everything and plug it back in. Why does this work? Most devices are programmed to follow a boot up program that will place their software in the correct order. Sometimes during use that software can get confused or look in the wrong place for the device it’s supposed to be connected to. Unplugged it or rebooting it can get it to look in the correct place again. I know it sounds silly, but it works, so try it first before you do anything else.

Update

If you have a software issue, before you call up Apple or Samsung and scream at them for issuing a broken device, make sure that it is updated. Almost every electronic device has some sort of software on it. Your iPhone has an iOS that would need to be updated, your Android phone can too. Your computer software may have a bug fix update that resolves the problem you’re looking at as well. Even your TV or internet router will have built in software called “firmware” that may need to be updated in order to work properly. So make sure that the device that your having difficulty with is up to date, as outdated equipment or software is often unsupported anyways.

Website

If you’ve rebooted the device, ensured that it is up to date, and your still having problems, check out the website of the company that you’re having difficulty with. Sometimes it’s a temporary known issue, like Twitter’s servers being down, which would result in your phone’s SMS tweets not working. Here’s where you can find all sorts of information your problem as well. Look up your specific model number and see if there’s any new/better software out for it, or find support forums filled with people ready to answer your questions.

Google

If the basic troubleshooting steps failed, then it’s time to search Google. The thing about Google is that you have to know how to search for your problem. Putting in “computer doesn’t work” won’t yield any relevant search results. First, determine as specific of the problem that you are having. “Email won’t send” is okay, and may give you some results that can give you a general idea of what to look for. “Email won’t send on Win 7 using Outlook 2010″ is better, and including the specific error code that your given (ie. 08XFH4800) is best. Look through the top three or four results to see if there’s any known issues or solutions for your particular problem. If there’s any potential steps that might fix it, try those.

Ask a Friend

If you can’t find out the solution to your problem yourself, before you shell out your cash for Geek Squad to format your hard drive without your permission, ask someone to help you. Everyone should have a friend, neighbour, or relative that is “good with this sort of thing”. Give them a call and see if they have any suggestions, or invite them over for a coffee/beer and a quick look at your ailment. Don’t expect or demand anything from them, just let them know what sort of issue you’re having and if they’d mind taking a look. As one of those people, I definitely don’t mind helping out friends and family, but it is nice to feel appreciated when I do.

All in all, most technology is surprisingly hard to break these days. Don’t worry that by checking the wrong box or clicking on the wrong link you’ll completely destroy your computer or TV. Almost everything that you could possible do can be undone in one way or another. Just make sure that you backup your most valuable information first (as you should already be doing) so that if it does get lost, it can be restored quickly and easily.

Save Money – Be Your Own Tech Support originally appeared on Canadian Finance Blog on January 4, 2012.