Sometimes, the largest obstacle to resolving computer or network issues is psychological--the problem seems like it will never get fixed, and this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You don't think there is an answer, so you don't expect to find one. This affects the enthusiasm and creativity with which you look for the answer, so you don't find it...

When this happens, stop.

Then, carefully and deliberately, remind yourself:

There is an answer.

Remembering this simple fact can significantly increase your chances of successfully resolving the issue.
Computers are complex systems, but they are systems that are designed to work. If they do not operate the way they are supposed to, it means that something, somewhere, is not doing its job. If you can narrow down the possible culprits, through a process of elimination, you can identify the failing component or incorrect setting. The component can then be changed, or the setting adjusted.

Your biggest enemy when troubleshooting is not the specific malfunction--it is the frustration you experience as you try to identify the cause of the problem. You may believe the system is behaving totally irrationally. Symptoms that appear at one time may not appear at another--seemingly under the same exact circumstances. You may even start to imagine there are multiple problems interacting with one another--and in some cases, you may be right. Those cases, however, are rare.

Usually, there is just one problem, which may manifest itself in multiple different ways. Quite often, it is possible to identify the cause of the issue--all that is required is a clear head, a methodical approach, the conviction that an answer exists, and the belief that you can figure it out.

Once you have established this level of confidence, computer issues that previously seemed insurmountable may become fairly straightforward, or even quite simple.

Don't make the problem bigger than it really is--remember that every malfunction has a specific cause that you can identify. Once you find it, the solution is just around the corner.

Next Week: Use Your Imagination