This document provides an overview of common computer troubleshooting topics including improving performance of slow computers, internet issues, email, storage types, and video troubleshooting. Specific tips covered include using Disk Cleanup and CCleaner to free up space, setting home page and deleting browsing history in internet settings, the difference between webmail and Outlook email clients, and converting video file formats using free software like Format Factory and Any Video Converter. Resources for additional help with computer issues are also listed.

1. Computer
Troubleshooting
(and other interesting facts)
Presented by: Kristi Manuel and Derwin Woodard

2. Topics
 My Computer is Slow
 Internet
 Email
 Active Directory
 Video Issues

3. My Computer is Slow
 Disk Cleanup
 CCleaner
 Defragmentation

4. My Computer
Hard drive (local to machine)
DVD/CD ROM drive
Flash drive
(External Drive)
Network drive

5. Different Types of Storage

6. Which Disk Format Do I Use?
• R Is a write-once format. You cannot
overwrite what is on it but you can
append to it.
• RW Can be erased and rewritten to. May not
work on a different machine.

7. Computer Properties

8. Disk Cleanup
Right click on C: and choose Properties
Select Disk Cleanup

9. Disk Cleanup
This may take a while.

10. Disk Cleanup
This will take a while.
You may continue to work while this is running.
Click Yes to delete the files you selected

11. CCleaner
www.ccleaner.com

12. Defragmentation
Right click on C: and choose Properties
Select Tools Tab
Select Defragment Now

13. Defragmentation
Select Analyze

14. Defragmentation

15. After Defragmenting

16. Internet
 Deleting Browsing History
 Setting Home Page
 Toolbars/Popup Blockers
 Favorites

17. Deleting Browsing History
Select Delete Browsing History
You can delete them individually
Or all at once

18. Deleting Browsing History
This may take a while based on the amount
of files you have.
Click Yes

19. Setting Home Page
Select Internet Options
Choose Tools from Menu Bar
Enter the web page you prefer

20. Toolbars and Popup Blockers
Two of the most popular toolbars are Google and Yahoo.
There are numerous others. (i.e. Ask.com, Weather Channel, etc.)
You can hide them or simply uninstall them in in Add and Remove Programs.
Uncheck

21. Popup Blockers
Internet Explorer’s Version
Google’s Version

22. Favorites
Or

23. Organize Favorites
You can create folders several ways.
•Click New Folder
•Right click and select New Folder
You can move links also.
•Click Move and select where you
would like them
•Drag and drop

24. Email
 Web based (OWA) vs. Outlook
 Archiving
 Full Inbox

25. Web Based vs. Outlook
 Web Based Email = Outlook Web Access
(OWA)
 Allows you to access your email account from
any device connected to the Internet
 You do not have to be on the school’s network
to use it
 Convenient

26. Outlook
 You have to be on the school’s network to
receive and send mail
 Allows you to easily save and organize email
locally on your computer without consuming
server space
 Customizable
 Auto-Archive option

27. Where Email Files are Stored
Why does it say my Inbox is full?
 When using OWAALL files are stored on the
server (Inbox, Deleted Items, and Sent Items)
 Outlook files are also stored on the email
server. However, personal folders and archive
folders can be created to store files you want to
keep locally on your computer’s hard drive.
Storage size limit:
100MB
Attachment size limit:
10MB

28. Stored on email server
Stored locally on hard drive

29. Malware, Viruses, Spyware,
Phishing, and Other Annoyances
 Malware – Any program that causes harm to the computer and its user.
Malware can be considered a virus, spyware, Trojan Horse, or worm.
 Viruses – Can be as serious as erasing data or as harmless as playing a
tune or displaying a message.
 Spyware (adware) – Software used to collect user data without their
knowledge (advertisers, hackers, and other interested parties) Spyware can
be disguised as prize, offer, or cute games.
 Trojan Horse – Software that appears as a useful tool but contains
harmful programs that can destroy data, deplete system resources causing
the computer to run slowly.
 Worms – Self-replicating viruses that slows a computer down by
utilizing system resources while leaving the Operating System and its files
intact.
 Phishing – A form of e-mail fraud that uses legitimate looking forms and
website references to lure users to disclose private information.

30. What is Active Directory?
 Synchronizing - Online vs. Offline
 Saving to My Documents vs. Desktop
SCS Tech Tips

31. Synchronizing
 Allows files to be
available locally on
your laptop when not
connected to the
school’s network
 Edits, additions, and
deletions are
reflected both locally
and on the network
after synchronization

32. Saving to My Documents vs.
Desktop
 My Documents = your home folder (H: drive)
on the server (network)
 Desktop = files stored locally on your
machine’s hard drive

33. Video Topics
 VLC vs. Media Player
 Converting video files
 Format Factory
 Any Video Converter
 Prism
 FreeStudio

34. VLC vs. Media Player
 Use VLC player to play movies on DVD’s
 Use Windows Media Player for .wmv, .avi,
.mpeg3 files
 Use QuickTime to play .mov, and .mp4 files
 Another alternative is RealPlayer

35. Converting Video Files
 Changing video layouts to allow them to play in another
format (.mov to .avi to play in Windows Media Player)
 To convert a video on a Flip camera from .mp4 format to
.wmv to edit in MovieMaker or to play in Windows Media
Player
 To convert a DVD (.vod) to .wmv format to add to a web site
 Programs you can use to convert files
 Format Factory
 Any Video Converter
 Prism
 FreeStudio

36. Creating DVD’s
DVD Flick will allow you to create and burn
DVD’s that can be played on a standard DVD
player

37. Questions???

38. Resources
http://surry.haikulearning.com/kmanuel/computertroubleshooting
SCS Tech Tips