Do you find your computer constantly
crashing under certain circumstances? All software have relationships
with parts of the windows operating system, the hardware devices
and other software. Usually you need to fix the underlying cause
of the error to solve your problem. For you to be able to do so,
you will have to understand the relationships between the applications
and how to test each part of windows to see if it is working correctly.
Common problems and possible causes
Programs which crash unexpectedly
1. If you have any applications which are
running in the background or on the task bar, try closing them down
and start running the application again.
2. Try restarting windows, then run a full
scan disk to correct any problems there may be on the hard disk.
3. Remove applications from the start up
group, restart windows before testing the application again.
4. If all else fails try checking the application's
manual or help files for a 'trouble shooting' or 'known errors'
section.
Programs will not start
1. With some applications you will find they may require the original
installation CD-Rom to be present in the drive before the application
will start. This is an anti piracy measure built into the software.
2. Some applications may depend on a hardware device being live
before it will function properly, for example, scanning software
usually needs the scanner to be activated before the program will
start.
3. Occasionally you will come across an application which will
require the screen resolution and co lour depth to be set to the
correct values before the software will start.
4. Some older programs will only work in DOS.
Your application file won't save
1. If another application is using the file, windows may prevent
your file from being saved.
2. Some types of files can take up tens of megabytes of space.
For example, when you try to save an image from a scanner onto a
floppy disk it is not possible if the image is greater than 1.44
megabytes in size.
3. The file may be locked into a read only mode by other users
or by another application. By trying to save the new file with the
same name as the locked file can cause an error. Try to save the
file with a new name or to a different location on the hard drive.
The application looks jumbled
1. If your application is jumbled and unreadable you can try changing
the screen resolution.
2. Each application can support many different viewing options.
Look for a menu option called 'view' or 'option or possibly 'preferences'.
Tips for trouble shooting
1. Use the software help files.
2. Examine the web site of the errant application for technical
assistance or a newer version of the software.
3. Restart windows application.
4. Re-install the application.
5. Check for viruses.
6. Look for the 'read me' file for known errors.
7. Call technical support for the application.
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