How Do You Troubleshoot A Computer That Won Start?
A computer that won’t start can be both alarming and infuriating, especially if you’re on a deadline or you haven’t been backing up all your data (like we all tend to do). Don’t panic, though-this problem often has a simple solution. If your desktop computer does nothing at all when you try to start it, first check that the power cable is securely plugged in at the back of the computer as well as into a working power outlet. It’s amazing how often this is the case. If you’re starting from a button on the keyboard, make sure the keyboard is connected to the computer. If the computer is plugged into a surge protector, see if the surge protector has a reset switch that you can push. (If it doesn’t have a reset switch and the problem is with the surge protector, it will need to be replaced.) Try plugging a lamp or other device into one of the surge protector’s outlets to make sure it’s working. If you can hear the computer’s fan or hard-disk drive, or if you can see indicator lights on the
