Problems & solutions

The faults we meet most often at our customers' homes and offices, explained without jargon - with what you can try yourself before calling anyone.

Many of the call-outs we are asked for could have been avoided, or at least prepared, with a few simple checks. So we have written down what we explain on the phone every day. Each page starts from a concrete symptom, lists the causes in order of frequency, and says clearly at what point you should stop and have the machine looked at.

These pages are free to read and regularly added to. If your problem is not here yet, write to us: the list grows with the situations we come across.

Slowness and breakdowns 4 When the machine slows down, freezes or refuses to start.

Security and scams 9 Infections, phishing and fake tech support : spotting them and reacting.

Internet and networks 7 No connection, disappointing speeds, spots with no signal.

Data and backups 6 Lost files, unreadable media, transfers and backups.

Windows and the system 10 Crashes, updates, accounts and access : when it is the system that is stuck.

Hardware and peripherals 11 Heat, battery, screen, keyboard : when it is a part that fails.

Three habits that apply to almost every fault

Restart before you start looking. A computer left on for weeks accumulates glitches ; a full restart solves a surprising share of problems.

Write down the exact symptom. "It does not work any more" says nothing ; "it powers up, the fans spin, but the screen stays black" points the diagnosis straight away.

Back up before repairing. Nothing should come before putting your documents somewhere safe, least of all a reinstall.

Your problem is not on the list ?

Free diagnosis at your home or remotely, in Lyon and across the Rhone.