Where To Start?

Whatever the problem, the best place to start is diagnosis i.e. work out what exactly
the problem is. Obvious but true!

Is it a physical or a software issue?

Physical

The top suggestion for all help desks that you call is to switch the equipment off and
then on again. 99% of the time this works! Examples would be network printer not
printing , PC not responding, keyboard not working, cannot access the internet.

If this does not work, then the best approach is to track the end to end physical
connection. Check each bit of equipment from one end to the other.

An example would be there is no network printing and you have already checked
that this is not a print job queue (software) issue. The topology of this would be a PC
switched on and connected to the LAN (router) via a network cable.  The network
printer is also connected to the router via a network cable.

The best approach would be:
- Switch printer off and then on again - it may have 'lost' its IP address assigned by
the router. Switching it off and on again will force a reassignment!
- Similarly switch the PC off and on again. Renewing the IP address for the PC can be
achieved in other ways that do not involve re-booting.
- Re-boot the router - this is achieved simply by switching the router off and on.  Before
doing this advise all other network users that you are bout to do this and ensure that
any applications that use the internet are closed.
- Check the cable connections between the printer and router and pc and router.
- Change the cables.

Do not complete all these tasks without checking at each stage whether networking
printing now works!!

Software

Ok - so it is not a physical problem. It must be software!

The best place to start is to close and restart the application that is causing the issue.
This may involve using the task manager in the Windows operating system.

Then run all the relevant updates including Windows Update and any updates for the
relevant applications.

Again check to see if the problem is resolved at each stage. If not then consult one of
many user forums on the web dedicated to the application.

How can FPC help?

We can provide the following services:
First line support  - fixed fee per month based on set number of users. Support on phone
and email. Physical attendance at client site service also available at fixed costs.
Ad hoc support -  as and when required at set charges per hour.