Jazeera University CSIT Batch 6: DC 2011 PROBLEM SOLVING CHAPTER THREE

Discovering Computers 2011 Problem Solving Chapter Three

Problem Solving @ Home

1- Program Not Responding: While working with a document, Microsoft Word suddenly fails to recognize when you click the mouse or type on the keyboard. The title bar also indicates that the program is not responding. What could be wrong?

¾ The program might be in the process of crashing.

¾ Your computer is out of memory (RAM).

2- Incorrect Calculations: As a teacher’s assistant at a local high school, you keep track of students’ grades in Microsoft Excel. At semester’s end, you use a formula to calculate the final letter grade for each student. The final letter grades, however, do not calculate properly. What might be causing the error?

¾ The formula used to calculate the letter grades is incorrect.

3- Unable to Save: You have been using Microsoft Access to maintain a database of your optical discs. Upon attempting to open the database, you receive a message on the screen stating that only a read-only copy of the database could be opened, which means that you are unable to save any changes. What is your next step?

¾ Make sure that the database is not already open.

¾ Restart your computer.

4- Smart Phone Not Synchronizing: You regularly connect your smart phone to your computer to synchronize your e-mail messages, contacts, and calendar. The last few times you tried to connect the smart phone, the computer did not respond. Before placing a call to technical support, what steps can you take so that the computer will recognize your smart phone?

¾ Check the port to which you are connecting the smart phone to make sure that it is working.

¾ Check whether you need to install and/or update any drivers so that the computer will recognize the phone.

5- Unwanted Page: A local charity in which you are active has asked you to design a one-page brochure. Each time you print the brochure, it prints the first page correctly, but a blank second page also comes out. What steps will you take to eliminate the blank second page?

¾ Use the Print dialog box to configure the program to only print the first page of the brochure.

6- Audio Not Playing: You are attempting for the first time to transfer video from your video recorder directly to your computer. When you save the file on your computer and play it back, the video quality is acceptable, but there is no audio. What is the first step you will take to troubleshoot this problem?

¾ Make sure that the speakers are turned on.

¾ Check the video recorder to ensure that it also is recording audio.

¾ Make sure that you are using the recommended software program to play the video.

7- Unusual File Size: You are using photo editing software to remove red eye from a photo. After successfully removing the red eye, you save the file and notice that the size of the file nearly has doubled. What might be causing this?

¾ The photo editing software might have needed additional space to store the file with the red eye reduction.

8- Program Crashing on Exit: Each time you attempt to quit Microsoft Excel by clicking the Close button, the program does not quit, and the title bar indicates that it is not responding. When you click the Close button again, a dialog box is displayed that states Microsoft Excel has encountered a problem. What steps will you take to solve this problem?

¾ Reboot your computer to see if that corrects the problem.

¾ If the problem persists, reinstall Microsoft Excel or check the Internet for solutions for this specific problem.

Problem Solving @ Work

1- Missing Font: A coworker has sent you a document that was created in Microsoft Word. She asks you to format the heading of the document with a specific font; however, the font name does not appear in your list of fonts. What steps will you take to retrieve the font?

¾ Search the Internet to obtain the font and follow the instructions to install it.

¾ Check with your coworker to see if a copy of the font is available for you to install.

2- Incorrect File Format: You have been working from your home office creating your company’s annual report in Microsoft Word. Upon attempting to open the annual report on a computer at your company’s office, an error message is displayed stating that the file format cannot be recognized. What might have caused this?

¾ You are attempting to open the file on a computer that does not have Microsoft Word installed.

¾ The file is corrupt.

¾ You saved the file in a format that cannot be recognized by the computer you are using to open it.

3- Insufficient Permission: When reviewing a document in your company’s document management system, you attempt to correct a typographical error for the next person who views the file. The document management system prohibits this action and informs you that you do not have the proper permission. What will you do to resolve this problem?

¾ The document might be protected. Contact the sender to obtain the necessary information to unlock the document and make any necessary changes.

4- Software Activation Required: Your company has purchased a new notebook computer to allow you to work from home. After using the computer for about one month, Windows informs you that it must be activated to continue functioning. Why is this happening, and what are your next steps?

¾ The computer might not have been activated previously, or an invalid product key was entered previously. Contact technical support to resolve this problem.

5- Trial Version Expired: New job responsibilities require that you use Adobe Photoshop to create a new company logo. Your boss has been unable to purchase the latest version of the software for you, and recommends that you download and install the trial version until she is able to purchase the software. The trial period now has expired and you are unable to use the program. How might you be able to continue using the software?

¾ Some trial software only can be installed once on each computer. You might have to install the software on a different computer to continue using it. Be sure to check the license agreement before doing this.

6- Web-Based Training Difficulties: You have signed up for Web-based training that is designed to teach you how to use your company’s new accounting system. During your training, you notice that the Web-based training Web site is not keeping track of your progress. Consequently, you have to start from the beginning of the training program each time you log in to the Web site. What might be causing this?

¾ You might need to have cookies enabled to use this site. Check the technical requirements for the Web site to properly function and make necessary changes to your computer’s configuration.

7- Installation Media Required: Each time you start Microsoft Excel and attempt to use one of its advanced features, a dialog box appears asking you to insert the installation disc. You are unable to locate the installation disc. What are your next steps so that you can use the advanced features of Microsoft Excel?

¾ If the program is licensed to you and you cannot locate the installation disc, contact Microsoft to determine your next steps. You may need to order a new copy of the installation media.