Laptops and Desktops: Basic Troubleshooting

Computer Won't Start
Computer Is Frozen
Computer Won’t Connect to the Internet/Pike Network

Computer Won’t Start

Faculty laptops. If the laptop is not already connected to wall power please plug it in. Then try to start again. If the laptop starts, then leave the laptop plugged in for at least 4 hours to charge the battery.If the laptop doesn’t start, call the Tech Department for assistance.

Desktops. Make sure the power connection is tight at the back of the computer and at the wall. Try to start again. If the desktop still doesn’t start, call the Tech Department for assistance.

Computer is Frozen

Beware! Any unsaved data may be lost when you take the following steps. It’s wise to save every few minutes before trouble begins so that if there’s trouble you won’t lose anything valuable!

1. Press option esc.
2. When you see the Force Quit Applications dialog, select the application program that is frozen and click Force Quit.
3. Restart the computer.
4. If Force Quit doesn’t work and the computer remains frozen…

• Press and hold the power-button for 5-10 seconds to shut down. Then press the power-button again to restart.

Computer Won’t Connect to the Internet/Pike Network

Wireless Computers

All laptops at Pike are wireless computers. They connect to our network without a connecting wire. Follow the steps below if you cannot connect to email, the Internet, printing, or file servers like iPike or grade report servers.

1. Locate the Airport icon at the upper right:
   
   
2. Make sure that you see 3-4 black bars, indicating that you have a strong signal from our wireless network.

• If, alternatively, you see 2 or fewer black bars (with the remainder of the bars displaying a gray color), you do not have a good connection to the wireless network. As a result, you will not be able to print, connect to iPike, or browse the Internet. See Troubleshooting, below.

Troubleshooting!

• Click the Airport icon.
• You will see a menu. Click Turn Airport Off.
• Click the Airport icon again.
• Click Turn Airport On.
• Click the Airport icon again.
• Click the word Airport. Make sure it's preceded by a check.
• If you still don't see a checkmark before Airport, or you still down't see 3-4 black bars, restart the laptop. If that doesn't work, contat the Tech Department.

Wired Computers (Connected By Cables To A Network)

If the computer connects via an Ethernet cable to a wall port, make sure the Ethernet cable is tight both at the wall and at the computer. Restart.

If these procedures don’t work, call the Tech Department for assistance.