Define the issue precisely 0) Windows is doofus (by default) -- bounce it (turn power off/cold boot) 1) Check any & all related settings to the issue (don't assume, check your premises) 2) Do a backup, including registry and any important config files (in between steps too as necessary)! 3) Check for updates at www.windowsupdate.com. Also service packs or bug fixes from other suppliers 4) Check any logs for errors 5) Run a full virus check with a known good virus checker (the one on disk may be infected). Also run something like PestPatrol to make sure you don't have a trojan. 6) Check to make sure hardware resources are available for demands ( RAM, CPU, etc.) 7) Check Control Panel/System, Event Viewer and Device Manager (or equivalent in other operating systems) to make sure all is running well. 8) Disable any virus scanning or other software running in the background to see if its a software conflict. 9) Reinstall software in question. Deinstall, then reinstall if plain reinstall doesn't work 10) Search internet for solutions from other folk: a) MSKB http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?DU=C&FR=0 b) www.groups.google.com c) company sites for software, hardware, firmware 11) RTFM (read the *fine* manual) 12) If possibly hardware related: a) Are all cables, etc. inside & outside the box well connected and correct types? b) Check that master BIOS settings pass a sanity check c) check for hardware/firmware updates (motherboard, scsi card, CD-R firmware, video, etc.) d) move hardware to other machines to confirm part is ok, or go to repair shop for testing. e) replace incompatible hardware like ISA cards 13) Rebuild the entire machine (O/S & software) 14) Replace the entire machine (new hardware)