Troubleshooting: Helpful Hints

The help desk has compiled a list of our most common questions and problems to provide some helpful hints to our users. If you have any other suggestions, please contact the help desk and we'll add them to our list.

• Ask a friend. As your colleagues learn more about their computers, finding help may be easier than you think.
• Restart your computer. One of the IT technicians' greatest repair secrets is that many problems can be fixed by simply restarting the computer. If you can't print, can't access the network, or an application is acting strangely, save your work and restart your computer. Be sure to log on when prompted.
• Call the help desk. We're looking forward to helping you with problems you can't solve on your own. To do so we established a help desk that accepts calls for all computer and voice mail problems. From resetting your password to recommending new equipment, the help desk can help.
  The help desk's job is to prioritize calls and dispatch technicians to resolve problems. Generally you will be asked about the nature of your problem so we can ensure the correct skills, software and hardware are available to solve your problem. Having specific error messages, examples of what is going wrong with your computer, or other detailed information about the problem helps us solve your problem more quickly.
• We are happy to help. Occasionally, small problems turn into emergencies when a user attempts to adjust their computer or install software. Interestingly, this usually occurs just before a big presentation or project. If you are sure of what you are doing, feel free to go ahead and correct the problem. If you are not sure, please contact the help desk and we'll be happy to help.