Why bugs, glitches, problems?

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Guest

This is a general question about Windows. I work in a PC shop. Most of the
repairs we deal with centre around software problems of one form or another.
I am frequently asked by my customers 'why did my PC freeze?' or 'why did you
have to reload windows?' and so forth. I have never really been able to
satisfactorily answer their enquiries. I have the idea that because the O.S.
is so complex, when it is loaded, errors can occur that may only appear later
on. Also, I put some problems down to human error in writing the code. I am
not sure that these answers are correct. Can anyone help me in this please?

Many thanks

Jeremy
 
When someone brings in a computer that is freezing, do you perform some
type of diagnosis or troubleshooting? If so, what have you observed to
be the most frequently seen causes, in your experience? In particular,
have you seen cases where the customer's own actions or lack of actions
caused a problem?

On a personal note, I would tend not to frequent a repair facility that
reinstalled my copy of Windows but couldn't explain why. (It is your
customer's copy of Windows that you reinstall...right?)
 
Next time you get one.. take a look in ADD/REMOVE Programs, and also the
program files folder.. compare what you see there with the contents of the
start menu.. tell tale signs are often there..

Ask about peripheral devices, printers, webcams etc.. were they working
ok?.. any installation problems?.. has anybody else messed with it?.. the
local 'expert'.. kids.. do they turn it off correctly?.. has the computer
shut down due to power failures?..

Check for the presence of a 'working' firewall and AV solution.. ask if they
ever close either down to facilitate getting a file from the internet.. do
they open unsolicited mail from unknown senders?.. do they visit online
gaming sites?..

--
Mike Hall
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User


"J Stuart - Ashbourne Comp. Ltd - UK" <J Stuart - Ashbourne Comp. Ltd -
(e-mail address removed)> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
 
Hi Ted,

Thanks for your response.
I don't actually do much on the tech side, the engineers here do. Yes, they
do troubleshoot, for example checking if new software has been loaded
recently that could be causing a problem, or if a peripheral device when
connected, causes the problem to occur. Memory is a regular offender where a
system is freezing. Regarding the user's actions, impatience (multiple mouse
clicks) can have an influence. Also what places on the internet a person
visits can cause them to pick up spyware which obviously affects the
performance of the machine.
Its just I have noticed the large quantity of software problems that we get
in relation to hardware problems and wondered why that would be. I know that
alot of people have problems with IE opening certain webpages, or when trying
to perform certain functions inside a website. Also, I have observed a good
number of customers experiencing difficulties with OE displaying images or
opening attachments. What puzzles me is that frequently these problems appear
and then disappear with a simple reboot! I wonder if you have any thoughts on
this?

Thanks again

Jeremy
 
Oh yes, I forgot to say, yes we do reload the customers' copy of windows.
I take on board your point about not frequenting a repair facilitate that
cannot explain why a reload was necessary, which is why I made the original
enquiry. Would you agree though, that quite often a problem cannot be
detected without spending a huge amount of time and that a reload, if it
solves the problem, is the most economically viable solution?

Jeremy
 
Hi Mike,

Thank you for your response. Some very useful pointers there. Are you
pointing at the fact that software that has not uninstalled properly will
often cause interruptus in the proper functioning of the O.S?

Thank you for your time : )

Jeremy
 
I have none of those problems, so I can't really speak to them. I've had
years of trouble-free computing, and no one would confuse me with a
computer genius.

For me, it's been a matter of common sense good habits. I prepare
thoroughly before making any changes to my system. I follow safe
practices while on the internet. I avoid needless complexity in my
configuration. I don't play around with the internal operations of my
software. I backup up religiously. I stay informed. These are things
anyone can do.

With all that high technology stuff inside a computer case, including
millions of lines of code, things are bound to go wrong from time to
time. Yet many computer users are able to steer clear of serious
trouble. We have more than luck on our side.

In my experience, a person's attitudes are the greatest single predictor
of success in using a computer.
 
It happens too often that people screw up their computers so badly that
repair is either impossible or would require days of work to effect. In
that case you throw up your hands and start from scratch. Even then, if
more people were in the habit of backing up it would be a simple matter
of restoring a known good configuration and they're back on their way.
 
Jeremy,

There a few main realities that result in Windows bugs, glitches and
problems.

1. Windows is inexpensive - in fact it's virtually free.
2. Windows supports almost limitless software and hardware - it's like
an open society with the freedom and security issues associated.
3. Software has bugs regardless of cost.
4. User expecations are high, and Microsoft has not met those
expectations. Windows is far more complicated then most people need.
5. We're in the infancy of operating systems for the massess. Windows
is far more reliable then it was 10 years ago. Things are getting
dramatically better right now, but there's a long way to go.

-Joey
 
Your response to the OP brought smiles to my face....& frequent nods.
LOL Even tho I have no Formal training (& no diploma on the wall), I do
a bit of troubleshooting & maintenance for family/friends & a few
seniors who are on fixed incomes. BTW......I know enough to be able to
send them to a reputable shop, when I feel the problem is beyond my
capabilities....which happens from time to time. 8^)

I just finished with a senior lady, whose PC became soooo compromised
that I had to visit her weekly....despite a trip to the local PC
hospital. We recently agreed that her old ME machine was past it's
prime & needed replacing. When I set up the new machine, I convinced
her to let me set up a limited user account for herself as well as the
grandchildren, in addition to an Administrator acct. She will no longer
Allow the grands to download their music/etc to her machine.....OR to
install any form of registry cleaner, etc. We have it set up with Win
FireWall (for now), AVG, Automatic Updates from Windows, & the usual
malware cleaners. Have to move slowly with this little lady, because
she isn't comfortable with change. LOL She will perform monthly
maintenance, as well as daily virus scans.......as per my instructions.

Carol2
 
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