You don't have to be an expert in order to care for your computer. If you take certain precautions, then you can eliminate many potential problems. You can also extend the life of your computer.

Keep in mind that it is very difficult to damage your computer. You don't have to worry about experimenting a little bit, as long as you know your limits. Thus, if you follow the guidelines in this series of articles, you won’t damage anything.

This series of articles will give you ideas on how to deal with some of the basic problems that may exist with the computer. That does not mean that your computer consultant will go out of business. It simply means that in many cases you’ll be able to handle simple problems by yourself.

Of course, some of the more advanced techies out there may have additional ideas I will be happy to add, to update, or to change these articles as needed.

Caring for your computer: Does it turn on?

Sometimes your computer may not turn on at all. Fear not: this is usually a simple problem. There are many things that you can try in order to see what the problem. Granted, a technician will diagnose a problem with a computer fuse, power supply, motherboard or another horrible sounding term. Don't worry. Those problems are rare indeed.

First see if the computer turns on at all. Is there any sign of life in the computer? Is anything lit up? Does the monitor light up? Do you hear any sounds from the computer box? If there is no sound of life then go on to the next step.

Unplug the computer. Plug a light in the outlet. Does the light turn on? If it does not turn on, then the problem is with the outlet or the electrical system in that room. Relax. You do have to figure out why the power in the room is faulty. Perhaps it's a faulty circuit breaker, fuse, or something else. However, the problem is not connected to the computer. Plug the computer into an outlet in a distant part of the house. It may work. If not, plug a simple light into that outlet.

If the light turns on but your computer doesn’t turn on, then look at the back of the computer box. The other end of the computer power cable may have come loose. Push it in to the computer box gently but firmly, and then try to turn on the computer.

Some computers have an on/off switch in addition to the regular switch. Find that other switch. It might be a rocker switch that does not flip up and down but you may have to push one of the two sides. It also might be marked with an I on one side of the rocker and an O on the other side of the rocker. Play with that switch and the main power switch to find the right on-off combination.

The monitor needs electrical power. It may take it from the computer box or from an outlet in the wall. Check one of the two cables that come from the monitor. Be sure that one of them is plugged in to the computer box or to the wall. If not, or if it is loose, plug it in.

Now to try to turn the computer on again. Does it work?

If not, then look again at the back of the computer. Try to find a little recessed switch. A recessed switch is one that is not easy to access. It is located deep inside the machine, so that it cannot be accidentally moved. The switch should say either 220V or 110V. If you live in North America, then it should be set for 110V. If you live elsewhere, it should say 220V.

Is your switch set correctly? If not, then don't try to fix it at this stage. Damage may have already been done. Now is the time to ask a computer technician whether it can be switched back.