As Windows computer users, computer errors will plague the best of us at one time or another.  From non-responsive programs to constant error messages and the like, computer errors are an unfortunate part of owning a PC computer.  However, that does not mean that we are destined to hand over our computers to a computer repair guy or gal (and a lot of cash!) each and every time our PCs aren’t running smoothly.

Here are three ways that you, regardless of your computer “know-how”, can attempt to fix your computer’s errors.

Reboot your PC

Amazingly, the easiest fix for some computer errors is a simple reboot.  Whether your computer problems are a result of not-enough memory, an error with your registry or application - rebooting your computer sometimes causes your problems to disappear spontaneously.

Here are a couple of instances where a reboot restored functionality to our PCs:

1. “out of memory” error messages
2. Stuck keyboard keys
3. Intermittent mouse problems
4. Constant error messages when opening specific applications

Quite honestly, we cannot explain the intricacies of why these problems were fixed when we rebooted our PCs, but suffice it to say that refreshing the system every once in a while can work wonders for certain problems.

Run a registry cleaning software

Your Windows registry is in-demand nearly every minute that your PC is up and running.  Not only is it in constant use, it’s relied upon to manage information on all of your programs, Windows processes, user profiles and drivers – if your registry becomes filled up with empty entries or outdated information, it can cause visible problems with your computer.

Problems such as applications lagging when loading (or not loading at all), frequent error messages and sporadic system “refreshing” are indicative of registry-related errors.

As a last resort – run Chkdsk

Chkdsk, or the Check Disk program, is built-in to your Windows PC and helps to find and repair system-related errors as well as hard drive problems.  Now, this should be used as a last resort on your part because it is an intensive program.  While it is easy to run, it can take a lot of time to run its course and if your PCs problems are severe – it can actually make matters worse.  If you are going to use Chkdsk, we highly recommend that you have a recent backup of your important files.  While it’s not at all common that running Chkdsk will ruin your computer – there have been instances where the program has made data recovery a nightmare on PCs that were experiencing severe problems.

While these tips may not fix every computer error that a PC user will run into, they will work to correct problems in the majority of cases.  If you are concerned about your computer, try the first two tips and skip over Chkdsk for now.  If you are still experiencing problems with your PC, you should consider contacting a computer repair technician to help you with your PCs repair.

For as long as there have been computers, there has been the desire for computer users to be able to repair their own machines.  Whether it is because they want to save money, they don’t want to tear apart their computer and lug it down to the PC repair shop or for some other reason – there are a lot of do-it-yourselfers out there.  Now, while it’s true that some computer problems should only be handled by qualified professionals, there are a number of things that the average computer owner can do to help eradicate computer errors.

What causes PC errors?

Really, there are so many causes for computer errors that it would be impossible to list them all here.  That being said, there are certain scenarios that will almost guarantee a computer’s predisposition to errors:

Improper removal of programs - your computer has an Add or Remove programs application that is designed to help you uninstall applications properly. However, sometimes a program’s uninstaller does not function correctly or you just up and delete a program without removing it – any instances of improper program removal are catalysts for PC errors.

Corrupted drivers – Many parts of your computer, from hardware to software, rely upon drivers.  If a driver becomes corrupted, is installed improperly or is in the wrong location, this will definitely cause noticeable issues with your computer.

Corrupted registry – Your registry holds important data that ties into nearly every program, piece of hardware and process required by your PC to operate.  If your registry becomes corrupted, filled with errant data or becomes so large that it is unmanageable; you will start to notice errors on your computer and possibly system instability.

How can I repair these types of errors on my computer?

Quite honestly, there are three simple solutions that may be able to fix your computer’s errors:

1. Rebooting your computer (amazingly simple, we know)
2. Running a registry cleaner program
3. Checking Windows update for the latest drivers for your computer

Another resource to consider if you have corrupted drivers is Driver Agent; this service will automatically scan your computer and show you which drivers are out of date or corrupted.  Now, a service like Driver Agent is especially important if you own multiple computes – it’s a real time saver and it can help you correct and prevent errors on all of the computers in your home.

The first line of defense against receiving computer errors is being sure that you properly remove installed applications and that your computer is up-to-date with the latest fixes and drivers through Windows update.  While hindsight is always 20/20 – preventive action is the best course when it comes to PC error repair; by using the three simple tips outlined above, there’s a very good chance that your errors will be taken care of today while protecting your computer against problems tomorrow.