Analyzing Symptoms

Start troubleshooting by analyzing symptoms to determine a strategy for resolving the problem. Under what conditions does the problem occur? Which aspects of the operating system control those conditions? Is the problem specific to a subsystem (networks, video, and so on)?

Consider the following:

• Has the system or configuration ever worked? If so, what changed?
• Is the error condition reproducible or random?
• Is the error specific to a particular system, configuration, or application?
• What specific hardware and firmware is involved?
• Are any non-Windows 95 device drivers or TSRs loaded?
• Does the order by which drivers or applications start up make a difference?
• Does the error still occur with Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Network Support? (These startup options are "Using Windows 95 Startup Menu Options" later in this chapter.)