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How to Fix a Computer: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Fixing a computer can involve addressing various hardware and software issues. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix common problems with your computer.

1. Identify the Problem

Understanding the symptoms is the first step in diagnosing your computer's issue:

  • Slow performance or unresponsiveness.
  • The computer won’t turn on.
  • Frequent crashing or blue screen errors.
  • Strange noises or overheating.

2. Initial Troubleshooting

Start with basic troubleshooting:

  • Restart the computer to see if the issue resolves itself.
  • Check for error messages and search for solutions online.
  • Backup important data before continuing further.

3. Check Hardware

If the issue persists, check your hardware components:

  • Ensure the power supply is working and all cables are connected.
  • Inspect internal components like RAM and storage devices.
  • Clean dust from fans and vents to avoid overheating.

4. Run Diagnostics

Use built-in diagnostic tools or third-party software to find issues with your hardware:

  • Run diagnostics to check for hardware problems.
  • Monitor system temperatures to prevent overheating.

5. Resolve Software Issues

Common software issues can often be fixed by:

  • Booting into Safe Mode.
  • Uninstalling problematic software or updates.
  • Running antivirus or malware scans.
  • Updating drivers for your hardware components.

6. Advanced Options

If basic troubleshooting doesn't work, you might need to consider:

  • Running chkdsk to fix disk errors.
  • Reinstalling the operating system.
  • Replacing faulty hardware components.

If you’re unable to resolve the issue, consult a professional for further assistance.

© 2024 Stress Free PC's. All Rights Reserved.

Here are the CPUs that officially can run Windows 11

Intel CPUs compatible with Windows 11

At the moment, Intel processors compatible with Windows 11 date back to mid-2017 and no earlier. Think 8th-generation CPUs and beyond. This is a full rundown of all Intel prossessor, which includes Pentium, Celeron, and Xeon chips. For ease of scanning, i’ve culled that list to a handful of the common mainstream consumer processors from each generation.

As of the 8/27/2021: Microsoft has announced the addition of Intel Core X-series, Xeon W-series, and the Intel Core 7820HQ (found in the Microsoft Surface Studio 2) to its compatability listed Models below.

Intel 8th generation (Coffee Lake, Whiskey Lake, Amber Lake)

Desktop

  • Core i3-8100
  • Core i5-8400
  • Core i5-8600
  • Core i5-8600K
  • Core i7-8700
  • Core i7-8700K
  • Core i7-8086K

Mobile

  • Core m3-8100Y
  • Core i5-8200Y
  • Core i3-8130U
  • Core i3-8145U
  • Core i3-8100H
  • Core i5-8250U
  • Core i5-8250U
  • Core i5-8400H
  • Core i7-8650U
  • Core i7-8665U
  • Core i7-8750H

Intel 9th generation (Coffee Lake Refresh)

Desktop

  • Core i3-9100
  • Core i5-9400
  • Core i5-9600
  • Core i5-9600K
  • Core i7-9700
  • Core i7-9700K
  • Core i9-9900
  • Core i9-9900K

Intel 10th generation (Comet Lake, Ice Lake, Amber Lake, Cascade Lake)

Desktop

  • Core i3-10100
  • Core i5-10400
  • Core i5-10600
  • Core i5-10600K
  • Core i7-10700
  • Core i7-10700K
  • Core i9-10900
  • Core i9-10900K

Mobile

  • Core i3-10100Y
  • Core i3-10100U
  • Core i5-10210U
  • Core i5-10200H
  • Core i5-10400H
  • Core i7-10510U
  • Core i7-10710U
  • Core i7-10750H
  • Core i7-10850H
  • Core i9-10980HK

Core X (Enthusiast Desktop)

  • Core i9-10900X
  • Core i9-10920X
  • Core i9-10940X
  • Core i9-10980XE

Intel 11th generation (Tiger Lake, Rocket Lake)

Desktop

  • Core i3-11100
  • Core i5-11400
  • Core i5-11600
  • Core i5-11600K
  • Core i7-11700
  • Core i7-11700K
  • Core i9-11900
  • Core i9-11900K

Mobile

  • Core i3-1115G4
  • Core i5-1135G7
  • Core i5-11300H
  • Core i7-1165G7
  • Core i7-1185G7
  • Core i7-11375H

Glossary of Terms

 top

A B C D E F G H
I J K L M N O P
Q R S T U V W X
Y Z            

 

A

 algorithm  analog  app  application  array      
               

 

B

 backup bandwidth binary bit bitmap blog  blogger bookmark
boot broadband  browser  buffer  bug  bus  byte  

 

C

 cache caps lock captcha CD CD-ROM client clip art clip board
 cloud computing  command compile  compress  computer  computer program  configuration  cookie  
 copy  CPU (central processing unit) cyber-crime   cyberspace crypto         

 Top

D

dashboard data data mining database debug decompress delete desktop
development digital disk DNS (domain name system) document domain domain name dot
dot matrix download drag DVD (digital versatile disc) dynamic      

 

E

 email  emoticon  encrypt  encryption  enter  exabyte    
               

 

F

 FAQ (frequently asked questions) file  finder  firewall firmware  flaming  flash  flash drive
 floppy disk flowchart folder font  format  frame freeware  

 

G

gigabyte graphics            
               

 

H

 hack hacker hardware home page host  HTML hyperlink hypertext
               

Top

I

 icon  inbox integer interface Internet  IP address  iteration  
               

 

J

 Java joystick  junk mail           
               

 

K

kernel  key keyboard keyword         
               

 

L

 laptop laser printer   link Linux log out  logic  login  lurking
               

 

M

Macintosh macro  mainframe  malware  media  memory  mirror  modem 
monitor  motherboard  mouse  multimedia         

 

N

 net network  node  notebook computer         
               

Top

O

offline  online  open source operating system (OS or OP SYS) option  output     
               

 

P

 page password  paste  path  phishing  piracy  pirate  platform 
 plug-in  podcast pop-up portal  print printer privacy process 
program   programmer protocol           

 

Q

queue  QWERTY             
               

 

R

Random Access Memory (RAM)  real-time  reboot  resolution  restore  ROM (read only memory)  root  router 
runtime               

 

S

save scan  scanner  screen  screenshot  script  scroll  scroll bar 
search engine  security server  shareware  shell  shift  shift key  snapshot
social networking  software  Solid State Drive (SSD) spam   spammer spreadsheet  spyware   status bar
storage  supercomputer surf syntax         

Top

T

table tag  template  terabyte  terminal  text editor  thread  toolbar 
trash Trojan horse  typeface           

 

U

undo Unix upload  URL USB (Universal Serial Bus) user  user interface  utility
               

 

V

version  virtual virtual memory  virus        
               

 

W

web web host  webmaster website widget  wiki window Windows
wireless  word processor  workstation  World Wide Web  worm  WWW    

 

X

 XML              
               

 

Z

zip              
               

 Top

 

 

What operating systems are available today?

On the market today Microsoft are limiting their operating system (ops) to windows 10 & windows 11, there reason for this is that any ops that is older than windows 10 has no updates or security patches available.

What I’ve seen over the years as a computer engineer is that they are changing all the time, there is a minimum spec now for windows 11 which is the only one that is available at the moment as windows 10 end of life support end in 14th October 2025. Which means there will be no updates for these windows after that day but there might be a charge for up to 3 years for support for companies?

These are the minimum system requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC. If your device does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to install Windows 11 on your device and might want to consider purchasing a new PC. If you are unsure whether your PC meets these requirements, you can check with your PC Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or, if your device is already running Windows 10, you can use the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility. Note that this app does not check for graphics card or display, as most compatible devices will meet those requirements listed below.

   

Processor

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible Intel 64-bit processor or compatible AMD 64-bit processor.

RAM

4 gigabyte (GB).

Storage

64 GB or larger storage device Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details.

System firmware

UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement.

TPM

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Check here for instructions on how your PC might be enabled to meet this requirement.

Graphics card

Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

Display

High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel.

Internet connection and Microsoft account

Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial device set-up.
Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here.
For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.

How to Fix a Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Introduction:

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is an essential part of the Windows operating system, responsible for booting the OS correctly. If your computer fails to start and you encounter a BCD error, it means the configuration data is corrupt or missing. Fixing this issue can restore your system to working condition.

Common Symptoms of BCD Errors:

  • Error messages like “The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains errors.”
  • A blue screen (BSOD) with stop codes related to boot issues.
  • Inability to boot into Windows.
  • Black screen with no response during startup.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix BCD Errors:

1. Using Automatic Repair:

  1. Insert your Windows installation media (USB or DVD) and boot your system.
  2. Select your language preferences and click Next.
  3. Click on Repair your computer.
  4. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Automatic Repair.
  5. The system will attempt to automatically fix any boot issues, including BCD errors.

2. Rebuilding the BCD Manually via Command Prompt:

  1. Boot using the Windows installation media and go to the Command Prompt from the advanced options.
  2. In the Command Prompt, type: bootrec /rebuildbcd
  3. If successful, you'll see a message saying that the BCD store has been rebuilt. If it doesn't detect your OS installation, try the following commands: bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot

3. Using Startup Repair Tool:

  1. Once you boot into the advanced options via installation media, choose Startup Repair.
  2. This tool will scan your system for boot problems and attempt to repair any corrupted or missing BCD files.

4. Repairing the BCD using System Restore:

  1. In Advanced options, select System Restore.
  2. Choose a restore point from when your computer was working normally.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.

Causes of BCD Errors:

  • Corrupted boot configuration due to sudden shutdowns.
  • Malware or virus infections affecting system files.
  • Physical damage to the hard drive.
  • Installation of incorrect updates or drivers.

Preventing Future BCD Errors:

  • Regularly update your system and drivers.
  • Use reliable antivirus software to prevent malware infections.
  • Create regular backups of your system using Windows' built-in backup features.
  • Avoid sudden shutdowns by properly powering down your system.

Conclusion:

BCD errors can be frustrating, but with the right tools and steps, you can fix them and restore your system’s functionality. Using the Windows repair tools like Command Prompt and Automatic Repair can resolve most boot issues.

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