A method.
THE FOUR QUESTIONS
What exactly happens? When did it start? What changed? Does it affect everything or one thing?
WHAT MOST PROBLEMS FOLLOW
A change.
WHAT TO TRY FIRST
Restart.
Why: it resolves a substantial proportion of problems in seconds.
WHAT TO TRY NEXT
Close everything and try again Check free disk space Check whether other programs are affected Check whether other devices are affected
WHAT THAT LAST ONE DISTINGUISHES
A problem with the machine from a problem with the network or service.
WHAT TO CHANGE
One thing at a time.
WHY
Otherwise you never learn what fixed it.
WHAT TO RECORD
The exact error message.
WHY
It is usually precise, and it is what you search for.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Install software promising to fix it Change settings you do not understand
WHAT TO DO BEFORE ASKING FOR HELP
Note what you have tried and what happened.
