Troubleshooting Techniques

There are several standard techniques that can be used to troubleshoot problems. Using the tools and documentation provided with your hardware and software is a good starting place. Once you have familiarized yourself with these materials, you can begin identifying the problem and testing the affected features to determine the exact cause. Problems can be caused by issues as diverse as incompatible hardware, outdated drivers, loose connections, incorrect configurations, or other issues. You can use a variety of resources to isolate the problem and determine if it is a known issue with a documented solution.

There are several basic troubleshooting tips and procedures that you can follow as a standard approach to solving problems:

• Follow the system checklist.
• Analyze symptoms and factors.
• Check to see if the problem is a common issue.
• Isolate the source of the problem.
• Define an action plan.
• Consult technical support resources.

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