How to Troubleshoot your Computer or Laptop on Different Operating Systems

How to Troubleshoot your Computer or Laptop on Different Operating Systems
Computers and laptops are one of the most powerful tools we use in our day-to-day lives. Because of this, when they have issues, they can be detrimental to your operations, whether that be you losing time waiting for something to load, or in the worst-case scenario lose sensitive data.
The positive news is that you may quickly fix most common computer problems like crashes, slow loading, or poor internet connections with some troubleshooting. In this article I will explain what troubleshooting is, and a step-by-step guide on how you can troubleshoot on your devices operating system.
The operating systems I will discuss includes:

• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10
• Windows 11
• macOS version 11 (and later)
• macOS version X 10.15 (and below)

Before we begin, ensure that your system as up-to-date as possible and have no pending updates. Your machine and your software may require updates to run smoothly.
What is troubleshooting? Troubleshooting refers to a methodical approach to problem-solving that is used to identify and resolve problems with complex machines, electronics, computers and software systems.
How do I troubleshoot? To access the option to troubleshoot on your machine can vary between which operating system you are using.

Windows
*It is crucial to know that Microsoft no longer supplies system updates to Windows 7 and 8. This includes software and security updates. You are still able use your machine, but you’re at a greater risk for viruses and malware. As they are older operating systems, they will also run slower. Your best bet would be to upgrade to either Windows 10 or 11.

Windows 7
From your home screen of your computer/laptop
 

1. Open the ‘Start’ menu, in the bottom left corner
2. Open the ‘Control Panel’ icon
3. Under ‘System and Security’, select ‘Find and fix problems’
4. Click the ‘View all’ link at the top left, this will view all of the trouble-shooters.
5. Select the trouble-shooting option that best suits your specific problem
6. Once selected, press ‘Next’ at the bottom of the window. This will start the process.
7. Allow the trouble-shooter to run.
8. Once finished, if Windows finds an issue, it will offer a possible solution to the problem. Follow the suggestion.
9. Select ‘Check to see if the problem is fixed’. Windows will then check for problems again. If all goes well, you should see a window displaying that troubleshooting could not find any problems.
10. If you followed the suggestion but the trouble-shooter finds a problem, select ‘Skip this step’ the trouble-shooter will offer another suggestion.
11. If your problem still persists, select a different trouble-shooter and try again.

 
Windows 8
From your home screen of your computer/laptop

1. Open the ‘Start’ menu, in the bottom left corner
2. Use the search bar and search for ‘Control Panel’
3. Select ‘Control Panel’
4. Once open, select the ‘Troubleshooting’ icon. This is just above the ‘Windows Update’ icon in the bottom left.
5. Run the trouble-shooter
6. When the trouble-shooter has finished scanning, it will come up with suggestions on how to fix the problem, if it has found one.
7. Do the suggestion, then scan again to see if it has fixed the issue.

 
Windows 10
From your home screen of your computer/laptop

1. Open the ‘Start’ menu, in the bottom left corner
2. Select or search for ‘Settings’
3. Select ‘Update & Security’
4. On the side bar, select ‘Troubleshoot’
5. Select the type of troubleshooting you want to do, then select ‘Run the trouble-shooter’
6. Allow the trouble-shooter to run and then answer any questions on the screen. If you see a message that no changes or updates were necessary, you can try recovery options.

 
Windows 11
From your home screen of your computer/laptop

1. Open the ‘Start’ menu, in the bottom left corner
2. Select or search for ‘Settings’
3. Select ‘System’ from the sidebar on the left
4. Click ‘Troubleshoot’ in the right window. Then select ‘Other trouble-shooters’
5. Once in ‘Other trouble-shooters’, you will see al of the areas you can troubleshoot. To run a trouble-shooter, find the trouble-shooter you want to use then click on run next to it.
6. If applicable, select the specific device you want to check.
7. The troubleshoot will run. Allow Windows to look and fix, or identify any problems it finds. You may have to manually tell Windows to make adjustments.
8. Once finished, run the scan again to double-check that the problem has been fixed.

macOS
macOS version 11 (and later)
Ensure all non-essential external connections are unplugged (such as USB drives).
 

1. Either turn on your Mac, if it is turned off, or restart your Mac. You can only access the Apple Hardware Test as your computer is starting up.
2. Press and hold down the ‘D’ on your keyboard. Do this before the screen displays anything. If your Mac still plays the start chime, press and hold ‘D’ before the start chime plays.

• If Apple Hardware Test doesn't start, reboot the computer and press ‘⌥ Option + D’ to start the hardware test over the internet. Select your network connection, enter the password (if needed), and press the checkmark.
• You may need to disable your firmware password to start Apple Diagnostics
  1. Select your language. Once selected, the diagnostics scan will start
  2. Allow the diagnostics scan to take place. This may take several minutes, and your computer may run loudly and seemingly erratically. This is normal, it’s testing the hardware to make sure it works.
  3. Take note of the results. If Apple Diagnostics finds any abnormalities on your Mac, it will list a summary of the problem(s) and include a reference code under each listed result. From here, you can write down the reference code(s) for use when getting it repaired.

• Some errors have multiple reference codes, so write down the reference code rather than just the problem summary.
• If there are any hardware faults listed, schedule an appointment with Apple to get your computer repaired.

 
macOS version X 10.15 (or below)
Ensure all non-essential external connections are unplugged (such as USB drives).
 

• Insert the OS installation disc, if necessary, this is only necessary if the Mac is still running Mac OS X Snow (version 10.6) or below. This is not necessary if you are running OS X Lion (version 10.7) or later.

 

1. Either turn on your Mac, if it is turned off, or restart your Mac. You can only access the Apple Hardware Test as your computer is starting up.
2. Press and hold down the ‘D’ on your keyboard. Do this before the screen displays anything.
3. Select your language, click on the arrow.
4. Wait for the Apple Hardware Test window to come up. The Hardware Test will do a quick “probe” of the machine before it does any testing; let it complete the probe.
5. Once the probe is finished, click test to start the hardware test. The test may take up to an hour or more, and your computer may run loudly and seemingly erratically. This is normal, it’s testing the hardware to make sure it works.
6. Take note of the results. If the test finds any abnormalities on your Mac, it will let you know it found an error and will list the technical code of the problem in the box in the lower right. From here, you can write down the code for use when getting your computer repaired. 

 

• If Apple Hardware Test doesn't start and your computer was released in 2011 or later, reboot the computer and press ‘⌥ Option + D’ to start the hardware test over the internet. Select your network connection, enter the password (if needed), and press the checkmark.
• If you would like the computer to check everything, check the box next to ‘Perform extended testing’. Be aware this will significantly increase the time it takes for the scan to complete.
• If there are any hardware faults listed, schedule an appointment with Apple to get your computer repaired.
• Unlike with Apple Diagnostics, you will not get a specific reference code; it will just be technical jargon.

 
If you are not tech-savvy or trouble-shooting didn’t resolve your issue, do not fret. Here at Elite PC Systems, we specialise in solving computer and laptop issues. We provide both in-house and remote consultancy for all your IT related issues.

If you have scanned your system with the trouble shooter and it has returned displaying that your system is clean, or you have followed the trouble shooters suggestions, scanned again and it returns displaying that it could not find any issues, but your problem still persists. This may be a sign that your system has been compromised. If this is the case, do not enter any sensitive personal information and turn off your machine. Then, bring your machine to us and we will scan your machine, we will then discuss with you the best course of action.

Visit us at 44 Nicholas Street, Chester, CH1 2NX. Or contact us at 01244 344366. We are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 5:00* and we are always happy to help.
*We may close early, due to being out on calls.