How to Analyze Computer Problems

By Stephen Lilley

Analyzing computer problems is a process that has become automated in the Windows operating system. A native tool called the "Device Manager" catalogs all of your computer's hardware, as well as the software (called a "driver") that runs each of those devices. The Device Manager can also analyze the consistence of both the hardware and the software, allowing it to automatically identify problems. Once identified, the Device Manager can also help you fix them as well.

Step 1

Right-click on the desktop icon named "Computer." Click "Properties."

Step 2

Click on "Device Manager."

Step 3

Right-click anywhere inside the Device Manager window to bring up a drop-down menu of options.

Step 4

Click on "Scan for Hardware Changes." The Device Manager will now analyze all of the hardware and driver software on your computer, looking for issues. Watch inside the window for small "error" icons to appear. Each icon that appears indicates one identified error on your computer.

Step 5

Right-click on the listing for a device that has an error. Click on "Properties." The "Status" box in the window that opens will have a small description of the problem at hand. You can click on the "Troubleshoot" button to allow Windows to guide you through the process of fixing the issue.

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