It’s happening — again. Your computer is defying every command, is offering weak downloads and stalled pages. Every connection drags; every function falters. Your screen is a tribute to broken technology and you wonder just what you’re meant to… do. All attempts to fix it have (obviously) failed. You’ve installed new software, performed virus scans, sought advice on forums. Nothing seems to work, however. Your monitor is flickering.
You must therefore turn it off.
The most helpful troubleshooting technique is to simply allow a computer to shut down. Too often, however, is this notion ignored — replaced to more complicated performance checks and software manipulations. While these do offer undeniable aid, they are often too dependent upon specific complications; and attempting them when there is a hardware problem (or a needed update) will prove to be futile.
Users are encouraged therefore to first try turning their systems off. Close all programs and running functions first (be certain to save all data so that nothing is lost). Select the main task-bar and find the Shut Down button; and then select it, waiting for the computer to disconnect. If this does not occur, perform a hard option — where you force the machine to power down by unplugging its connector cable.
Allow at least one minute to pass before restarting the system. It may take a few moments for any new updates or changes to be fully realized. Once they are, however, you should be able to then resume your normal activities.
The easiest way to fix a computer problem is to simply let that problem disappear — and turning off the entire system can be the most useful of all techniques.