Rebooting your computer is often the best solution when you can’t get your system to go online. Ironically, most of us don’t think that way, instead clonking our heads against the wall and imagining that clicking different pages and actually analyzing what might be wrong is the better way to go. It’s not.
A good friend recently described his Monday morning frustrations. “The first 45 minutes of my day consisted of jacking around with my computer because Internet Explorer would not open. Does that count as work?”
Beyond the fact that it’s amusing his browser is still Internet Explorer, the dinosaur of choices given the other more efficient options available, you have to wonder what steps he took before coming to the conclusion that he should reboot. He described things this way:
“It was incredibly annoying. Especially when the IT support lady told me to reboot (Idiots Guide to Tech Support, Chapter I) and it worked.”
“My computer was off the entire weekend. I started it up and it would not open. Why would rebooting in this case work? It did. It was illogical. Pissed I did not think of it myself.”
Illogical solutions abound in today’s world, but they could prove dangerous. Imagine, for example, if we rebooted other technology. Would people be patient and forgiving with their cars if they behaved the same way? “It just stopped making right-hand turns.”
“Did you turn off the engine and start the car up again to see if that fixed it?”
“Ah, stupid me, I never considered that.”
What if jet engines worked that way? “Uh, mission control, we have a problem. We’re plummeting at a thousand feet a minute for no rational reason. What should we do?”
“Have you turned the engine off and back on again? That’s always the first step,” mission control replies.
Of course, we know that’s not going to work, but who really knows how higher technology works? Very few people in most cases. The person who has that kind of knowledge, whether it’s to fix a computer or keep a jet humming in flight, is invaluable.
It doesn’t make sense that you should be able to turn something off, then turn it back on, and something changes for the better. Imagine if you could pull that off with your TV. “Damn, every station has dog meat on it.”
“Honey, just turn the set off. Let it cool for a few minutes. When you turn it back on, maybe some new shows will come on.”
Bingo, you click the set back on after letting it rest for 15 minutes and you’re fronted with new shows you’ve been salivating over for decades. “Thanks, dear, I have to remember that trick.”
Rebooting is always the first solution with your computer. Remember that and hassles in achieving smooth online access will decrease. There’s a lot to be said for cutting down on those frustrations.
But, if you think you can defeat the computer and come up with a solution yourself, go for it. Click away. Hit the drag-down menu. Search options. Hit the “Help” key. Pretend you know something when you really don’t.
Once you are thoroughly mentally and emotionally exhausted, give in. Pull the plug. Start over. You’ll feel better. Remember next time.
A good friend recently described his Monday morning frustrations. “The first 45 minutes of my day consisted of jacking around with my computer because Internet Explorer would not open. Does that count as work?”
Beyond the fact that it’s amusing his browser is still Internet Explorer, the dinosaur of choices given the other more efficient options available, you have to wonder what steps he took before coming to the conclusion that he should reboot. He described things this way:
“It was incredibly annoying. Especially when the IT support lady told me to reboot (Idiots Guide to Tech Support, Chapter I) and it worked.”
“My computer was off the entire weekend. I started it up and it would not open. Why would rebooting in this case work? It did. It was illogical. Pissed I did not think of it myself.”
Illogical solutions abound in today’s world, but they could prove dangerous. Imagine, for example, if we rebooted other technology. Would people be patient and forgiving with their cars if they behaved the same way? “It just stopped making right-hand turns.”
“Did you turn off the engine and start the car up again to see if that fixed it?”
“Ah, stupid me, I never considered that.”
What if jet engines worked that way? “Uh, mission control, we have a problem. We’re plummeting at a thousand feet a minute for no rational reason. What should we do?”
“Have you turned the engine off and back on again? That’s always the first step,” mission control replies.
Of course, we know that’s not going to work, but who really knows how higher technology works? Very few people in most cases. The person who has that kind of knowledge, whether it’s to fix a computer or keep a jet humming in flight, is invaluable.
It doesn’t make sense that you should be able to turn something off, then turn it back on, and something changes for the better. Imagine if you could pull that off with your TV. “Damn, every station has dog meat on it.”
“Honey, just turn the set off. Let it cool for a few minutes. When you turn it back on, maybe some new shows will come on.”
Bingo, you click the set back on after letting it rest for 15 minutes and you’re fronted with new shows you’ve been salivating over for decades. “Thanks, dear, I have to remember that trick.”
Rebooting is always the first solution with your computer. Remember that and hassles in achieving smooth online access will decrease. There’s a lot to be said for cutting down on those frustrations.
But, if you think you can defeat the computer and come up with a solution yourself, go for it. Click away. Hit the drag-down menu. Search options. Hit the “Help” key. Pretend you know something when you really don’t.
Once you are thoroughly mentally and emotionally exhausted, give in. Pull the plug. Start over. You’ll feel better. Remember next time.