CURRENT TIP
Create a recovery USB before you need one.
Create a recovery USB drive while your computer is working properly. If Windows ever has trouble starting, having a recovery drive can make troubleshooting and repairs much easier.
Real-world IT advice • No fluff
Tech answers before you ask.
If you are about to ask me a tech question, start here. These are practical fixes built from decades of solving real problems—not generic clickbait. If this page does not fix it, then yes… you may ask David.
IT experience since 1998New tip every SundayBuilt to save support calls
60-second checklist
Before you ask
- Restart the computer—not sleep and not “close the lid.”
- Check whether you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
- Try another browser if a website is acting strange.
- Power-cycle the printer, router, dock, or monitor for 10 seconds.
- Read and capture the exact error message.
Do not wait
Ask David immediately
- You see a ransom note, encrypted-files warning, or unusual popups.
- You entered your password after clicking a suspicious email link.
- The server or internet is down for multiple people.
- You smell burning, hear clicking, or the computer will not power on.
- Business operations require access restored immediately.
Try these first
Quick fixes that actually work.
The simple checks are not beneath anyone. They are fast, they isolate the problem, and they solve more issues than most people expect.
01
Reboot properly
Start → Power → Restart. Not sleep, and not just closing the lid.
02
Hard refresh a website
Use Ctrl + F5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + R on Mac.
03
Check the network
Make sure you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi, not guest or a nearby network.
04
Try another browser
If Chrome is acting up, test Edge. If Edge is acting up, test Chrome.
05
Reconnect the device
Printers, docks, monitors, and routers often recover after a clean power cycle.
06
Read the error
The exact wording matters more than “it isn’t working.”
The ones everyone asks
Top questions.
Straight answers, based on what usually causes the problem in the real world.
“Why is my computer slow?”
Reboot first. If it is still slow, open Task Manager and check CPU, Memory, and Disk usage. A drive stuck near 100% or a fan running hard usually points to a deeper issue.
“My Wi-Fi is connected, but the internet does not work.”
Test another device. If both fail, restart the modem or router. If only one device fails, forget the Wi-Fi network and reconnect.
“The printer is not printing.”
Restart the printer and computer, confirm the correct printer is selected, and make sure the queue is not paused. For network printers, verify office Wi-Fi or VPN access.
“Do I really need updates?”
Yes. Updates fix security holes and stability problems. Skipping them is one of the most common ways otherwise healthy systems become vulnerable.
“It worked yesterday.”
That is completely believable. Updates, expiring credentials, internet changes, and background processes can all change behavior overnight.
“Is it the internet or just my computer?”
Try another device on the same network. If everything is broken, it is likely the connection. If only one machine is affected, the issue is probably local.
“Can I use the same password everywhere?”
You can—until one breached site exposes every other account. Use unique passwords and a reputable password manager.
Hi. I'm David.
Technology should solve problems—not create more of them.
I have spent nearly three decades supporting people, businesses, networks, servers, Microsoft 365 environments, security platforms, and the everyday technology that keeps work moving.
This site is intentionally simple: real answers, clear steps, and a little personality. If a tip can save someone a support call, prevent a security incident, or make a computer less frustrating, it belongs here.
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Still broken?
Okay. Now you may ask David.
Include what you were trying to do, the exact error message, and a screenshot when possible. That detail gets you to the fix faster.