The 9 Most Common PC Problems

I’ve probably owned a total of 30 computers in my life. Some I’ve used for a long time, others not so much. But, like most of you, I seem to run into the same problems over and over and over again. While it’s certainly frustrating, what’s worse is when you have no idea how to fix the problem. With this blog post, I’m hopeful that I can give you a leg up on these problems and make your technology life just a little better.

Short of your computer experiencing the blue screen of death, PC owners commonly run into irritating errors and frustrating technical issues at an impressive pace. How impressive? 83% of PC owners report experiencing difficulties with their computers in a given year. When I read that, I thought it might be a little high, but then I remembered what I was doing last night—fixing my wife’s computer. It never seems to end.

So, to arm you with the knowledge to help deliver you out from the evil of the dreaded Blue Screen of Death, and possibly to satisfy your sense of morbid curiosity, I’ve gathered the expert technicians here at Bask and they’ve put together the 9 most common PC problems they encounter on a daily basis.

1. Your PC won’t start.
In that case, good luck reading this article. If this should happen to befall your computer, start with the obvious first. Is your computer plugged in? Silly as it may sound, you might stumble onto the solution with a quick check of your essential cables.

2. Deathly Slow Computer
Ever feel like you’re going a mile a minute, at least as compared to your glacially paced computer processor? You’re not alone. One frequent cause of computer slowdown actually makes our list of common PC problems at #3...

3. Malware
Malware, the fearsome name given to “malicious spyware,” unfortunately isn’t confined to the world of James Bond. There are too many dangerous entities at large on the Internet to count and they can all cause damage to your computer including Trojan horses, worms, computer viruses, keyloggers, and backdoors. Inoculate your PC today!

4. Network connectivity problems
The days of getting booted from AOL are mercifully behind us (knock on wood) but that doesn’t mean the days of maddening Internet connectivity problems are completely gone either. Any number of issues might be responsible, including duplicate IP addresses, software/firewall blockages, and (in what might become a common refrain) unplugged cables.

5. Locked or Frozen Computer Screen (the Dreaded Blue Screen of Death)
Did you enjoy watching that cat video so much that you’d prefer it never end? What if that meant your PC refused to navigate away, much less do anything else, for a quite a while afterwards? Doesn’t sound so cute, does it now?

6. Computer Crashes/Reboots
It always seems to happen when you’re in the midst of that record-setting game of Solitaire or composing an email showing off your kids and grandkids. Say bye bye to your new personal record and that email. The good news is, though, it doesn’t have to be that way.

7. External Device/Hardware won’t function
CD/DVD drives often succumb in this way. Trouble syncing iPods, cameras, and other add-ons fall into the same bucket, and no matter the piece of hardware it ruins the fun.

8. Windows OS won’t boot properly
Sometimes it’s good old-fashioned Windows itself that’s the problem. But then again, maybe it’s just time you stopped running Windows 95, don’t you think?

9. Hard Drive Failure
No one relishes the passing of a dear friend. R.I.P. PC.

Are any (or all) of these maladies affecting your PC? Contact iTok for PC computer help now and be on your way to problem-free computing.

--Andrew Parker, Managing Editor