Title: Troubleshooting
Course: 21 Things for Students > Section: Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

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Introduction

According to Murphy’s Law – Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way. Anybody who has used technology knows this well. Your mission is to prove Murphy wrong – Complete the Quests below to learn how to troubleshoot common computer problems. You must be ready to solve problems.

Quest 1 Murphy's Law

This Quest challenges you to discover what went wrong and how to fix the problem.

Quest 1: Murphy's Law

Introduction

Everything is going well, when suddenly Murphy’s computer shuts down. Murphy says, "now what?" Your challenge is to discover what went wrong and how to fix the problem.

Important Steps:

Step 1  Watch each video segment.

Step 2  Take notes and create a step-by-step troubleshooting flowchart describing all the steps that you must go through to troubleshoot the problems listed below.

Step 3  Watch Basic Computer Troubleshooting:  Remember to take notes!

Step 4  Watch Basic Computer and Network Troubleshooting (take notes)

Step 5 Watch the Malware and Viruses video.

Step 6  To create a flowchart, please use one of the graphic organizer tools from the Visual Organizer section of the course.

Step 7  Save and upload or place your visual organizer in your portfolio or follow the instructions from your SSI Chief.

To Complete the Mission

Save the visual organizer in your Secret Space and submit as instructed by your SSI.

Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Quest 2: Now What

Secret Agent Briefing

Murphy is at it again. More problems! Create three flowcharts using a graphic organizer to show your steps for the following problems

Important Steps:

1.  Create three flowcharts using a graphic organizer to show your steps for the following problems:

Problem 1 - Murphy pushes the power button on her computer and nothing happens. List all of the possibilities in flow chart form on how she would troubleshoot the problem.

Problem 2 - Murphy launches her Internet browser and sees a message that tells her, "The Page Cannot Be Found". In addition, you notice that you can't get to any of your network hard drives. List all of the possibilities in flow chart form and how she would troubleshoot the problem.

Problem 3 - Over the past few days Murphy has noticed that her computer is starting to run very slowly, web pages are either not loading or she is being taken to a website that she did not intend to go to. In addition, she has been seeing pop-up boxes telling you that her computer may be infected. List the possibilities of what is wrong in flow chart form, and describe the steps you would take to eliminate the problem.

Completing this Quest

When you are done with your troubleshooting flowcharts, save them in your Secret File Space and report to your SSI for evaluation.

 Check off this Quest

Quest 3: Safe?

Special Agent Briefing

The great thing about computer technology is that there are always programmers who have a better idea. These programmers often write software programs as alternatives to commercial and often expensive software.

Important Steps:

Step 1 - In this quest, you will research free alternatives to costly commercial software. First, create a word processing or Google Document. Using the site http://alternativeto.net/, click on the ‘most likes’ tab.

Step 2 - In your document, type the name of the top two web browsers, and indicate if you are using either of those on both on your home and school computer. Why would you use either of top two, besides their popularity?

Step 3- In the same list of ‘most likes’, search for a program that plays media files, like MP3 and video. As you read about it, what are its key features and why would you use it instead of Windows Media Player or iTunes?

Step 4 - Finally, take a look at applications that you can run directly off a USB-Flash drive at PortableApps.com - http://portableapps.com/. As you read the front page of the site, explain in your document why you might use software that runs right from your flash drive instead of loading it on a computer hard drive.

Click on the Applications link and look at the software titles available to download. What applications do you think would be handy and convenient to have with you at all times? Why do you think that your school might think running the software from your USB drive might be a bad idea?

Completing this Quest

When you are done with your document, share it with your SSi or save a copy for your electronic portfolio.

Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Quest 4: Trouble

Meet  Bella. She's having trouble. Her ball is lost and there was a photo of where it went, but the printer isn't working.

Secret Agent Briefing

Have you ever had a problem with your computer that prevents you from using it to access Internet resources, contacting your friends or doing your schoolwork??

Understanding some key troubleshooting skills will allow you get your computer up and running quickly, and without waiting for someone else to help you. For this Quest you will learn how to perform basic troubleshooting on your computer, research solutions to computer problems, and share your knowledge with others.

Important Steps:

Step 1 - Review Quests 1,2, & 3 in Troubleshooting.

Step 2 - Make a list of at least 10 problems that kids... on second thought... adults (many know less than you do) might need help with when something goes wrong or they do not understand when they are using technology (note: technology may include something other than a computer i.e. a cell phone) and itdoes not need to be something from the videos you watched in Quest 1 of Troubleshooting.

Step 3 - You will need to create a page in your portfolio, blog, web or Weebly page that is called Troubleshooting Tips. On this page put images, videos, etc... that represent the problems. [If using Weebly you can make each image link to a separate hidden page that provides step by step directions on how to fix something..] Make your page interesting - it does not need to JUST be a list, possibly a flow chart or a video. Remember to properly give credit to the person who took the picture if you use any.

Here are a few resources to get you started with your search:

eHow Read
CDP Read
Docstock
How Stuff Works  Search
Ask Leo Search
DeGeeked Search
Butterscotch Search

To Complete this Quest

Add the above websites to your Delicious / Diigo account plus any others you found helpful.

Add a page in your portfolio, blog, web or Weebly page that demonstrates your knowledge about "Troubleshooting".  Make it creative and unique and when you are done with your document, share it with your SSI Department Chief.

Check this Quest off on your Tracking Document

Troubleshooting Question 1

You push the power button on the computer and it does nothing. You should

- Check the cable connection to the computer
Feedback: Try again
- Check the power cord/power strip
Feedback: Try again
- Check the cables into the monitor
Feedback: Try again
- All of the above
Feedback: Great job!

Troubleshooting Question 2

You can’t get on the network, first check

- The privacy settings
Feedback: Try again
- The internet set-up
Feedback: Try again
- The cable connections
Feedback: Great job!
- The cable company
Feedback: Try again

Troubleshooting Question 3

While working on your computer you get a spyware warning, it is best to

- Click on, no- Check Video or information
Feedback: Try again
- Click and hold ALT + F4
Feedback: Try again
- Click on, yes
Feedback: Great job!
- Click on, cancel
Feedback: Try again

Troubleshooting Question 4

Anti-viruses software should be

- Expensive
Feedback: Try again
- Cheap
Feedback: Try again
- Complicated
Feedback: Try again
- verified that it is loaded and working on your computer
Feedback: Great job!

Troubleshooting Question 5

Computer viruses are

- Only from email
Feedback: Try again
- Only from the internet
Feedback: Try again
- Other people who are not feeling well.
Feedback: Try again
- developed by malicious users referred to as hackers
Feedback: Great job!

Troubleshooting Award

Congratulations you have completed the Troubleshooting Mission.

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