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2. Problems and solutions in IT

HOW TO FIX A SLOW COMPUTER

The first step in fixing a slow computer is checking to see whether or not there is plenty of free space on the hard drive holding the operating system. Since Windows needs room to create files and keep the system running, having a hard drive that is maxed out can negatively affect the overall performance of the computer. If your hard drive is full, removing unnecessary files can be a great way to free up space, as well as to boost your computer’s speed.

If the hard drive is not the issue, the next step would be to use Microsoft’s System Configuration tool to tackle the computer’s slow performance. Since many applications tend to launch automatically when the computer boots up, trimming down the list of start-up items can increase the computer’s boot time. To use Microsoft’s System Configuration tool:

1. Open the tool by pressing Windows-R, typing msconfig, and pressing enter.

2. Check the Startup Item and Manufacturer columns to figure out which items can be disabled, avoiding any services and programs that are manufactured by the Microsoft Corporation.

3. Disable any programs that do not need to open upon boot up.

4. Once you have made all of your changes, click OK and restart the computer.

HOW TO SPEED UP DOWNLOADS

If your computer is having connectivity issues, try running a speed test online to see what your exact download and upload speeds are (ideally, they should be at least 50% of your Internet service provider’s advertised speeds). If the test speeds appear to be positive, double check that there is nothing downloading or uploading in the background that could be affecting the performance speed. While network card updates are not common, checking to see if your card’s manufacturer offers a new driver and downloading it can help with download times.

In the event that there is nothing downloading or uploading in the background and there is no network card update, resetting the router and modem may help solve the connection problems. Try pressing the router and modems reset buttons or pulling the power cord for 1-2 seconds.

If you are still having connectivity issues, call your Internet service provider to see if the problem is on your end or theirs. As a last result, your provider can reset the master connection.

WHY DOES MY COMPUTER KEEP RESTARTING?

In most cases, hardware problems that cause your computer to keep restarting can be difficult to diagnose, as the problem can be caused by viruses, adware, overheating, or missing updates. First, confirm that your computer is not restarting simply to install the latest Windows updates before starting to update all of the critical system drivers, such as graphic cards, motherboard, and network card drivers.

If your computer is making weird noises, it may be restarting because it is overheating. Make sure to give the machine a thorough clean to help prevent the components from overheating, causing the computer to shut down.

HOW TO GET RID OF POP-UP ADS ON MY COMPUTER

If pop-up ads are appearing on your desktop while you are not running a Web browser, chances are that you have installed adware on your computer. While removing adware from your computer is not an easy task, running a full scan of your computer with a credible antivirus software can help find and remove the adware.

In the event that the antivirus software is unable to remove the adware, searching online for the name of the advertised product can sometimes turn up solutions reported by other victims. If the search results do not produce a solution, you can always perform a complete system reinstall. While this might take a long time, it is the only guaranteed way to remove adware or spyware. Just make sure to back up all of your files first.

WHY DOES GOOGLE NOT LOOK RIGHT?

Malware programs known as browser hijackers can take over the Web browser on your computer, redirecting your Google searches and other queries to fake pages in an attempt to steal your personal information or to further infect your computer. Running a real-time antivirus program can help protect your computer from this type of program; however, if your Web browser has already been hacked, uninstall the browser and use an antivirus program to remove the problem.

HOW TO FIX SPOTTY WI-FI

Before calling your Internet service provider about a spotty wireless connection, make sure that your computer is in range of the wireless router. If the connection does not improve, make sure that the computer has the latest wireless card drivers installed. You can also let Windows try to troubleshoot the problem for you by right-clicking on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and selecting “troubleshoot problems”.

WHY WON’T MY PRINTER PRINT?

If your printer will not print even though all the printer’s drivers are up to date and it has enough paper and ink to print, try turning the printer off and on or unplugging it and plugging it back in. You can also check the printer’s queue by double clicking on the printer icon in the system tray. This will show you the status of each job, as well as the status of the printer. Make sure that “Use Printer Offline” is not checked, as this can stall jobs from printing.

WHY CAN’T I OPEN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS?

If you are unable to open email attachments, chances are that you do not have the necessary software to view the file. If the file you are unable to open is a PDF, you can download a free reader to solve the problem. If the problem involves a different file format, try performing a quick search online for the attachment’s file extension (the letters after the period in the file name) to find out what type of program you need. In the event that the attachment does not have a file extension, try adding it back to correct the problem.

WHY IS MY FAVOURITE PROGRAM NOT WORKING ON MY NEW PC?

Before calling your IT support company, double check that the software you are trying to run is compatible with your new operating system. In some cases, older software might not work on a newer PC, just like apps created for Mac OS will not run on a Windows PC. While a 32-bit program will most likely be able to run on a 64-bit operating system, a 64-bit program will not be able to run on a 32-bit operating system.

HOW TO FIX THE BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH

If the blue screen of death appears on your computer, the solution may be as simple as rebooting your computer; however, since the blue screen of death may be caused by a variety of different problems—failing hardware, damaged software, corrupt DLL files, problems with drivers, etc.—the best way to fix the blue screen of death will depend on the original problem. When the blue screen of death appears on your computer, make sure to pay attention to the codes it provides you with, as these will help you identify and fix your computer problems.

WHY WON’T NEW APPLICATIONS INSTALL ON MY COMPUTER?

If a new application will not install on your computer, it may be because your computer does not have enough hard drive space. Try freeing up some hard drive space by getting rid of any files or folders that you no longer need, such as temporary files, duplicate files, or data for software that you have uninstalled from your computer.

HOW TO FIX AN APPLICATION THAT IS WORKING ABNORMALLY

In the event that an application on your computer starts working strangely, simply try restarting your computer to see if that fixes the problem. Alternatively, you can also conduct an Internet search for the type of problem you are experiencing or consulting the user’s manual to see if there is any information available for troubleshooting the problem.

WHY WON’T MY PC TURN ON?

If your PC will not turn on at all, there might be a problem with the power source. If you are working on a desktop and the PC’s extension cord, power outlet, and other connections appear to be in working order, the problem might be with the PC’s power cable. Try replacing the power cable of the monitor with the CPU’s power cable to see if the PC will turn on. If the PC turns on, getting a new power cable should fix the problem.

If you are working on a laptop, try taking out the battery and putting it back in before starting the computer. If this does not work, take out the battery again and connect the charging cable to the laptop. Start up the PC on charger power to see if it will turn on. If it does, replacing the laptop’s battery will solve the problem.

3.Future career in IT.

The information technology (IT) landscape is changing faster than ever. While some technical jobs are becoming obsolete, many others are growing exponentially. Now more than ever, candidates are looking for future-proof jobs that will be around for quite some time. Here are ten of the fastest-growing, most promising, and overall best IT jobs of the future you should be looking for.

Topics Covered:

1. Web Developer

2. Operations Research Analyst

3. Information Technology (IT) Manager

4. Software Developer

5. Information Security Analyst

6. Data Scientist

7. DevOps Engineer

8. Solutions Architect

9. Java Developer

10. Cloud Architect

1. Web Developer

What they do:

Web Developers are tasked with creating attractive, user-friendly websites that are as fast as they are intuitive. They collaborate with everyone from back-end developers and graphic designers to clients and executives.

Why it’s the best job:

Web development is considered the top career for 2021 for a few reasons. The median salary is currently $69,430 while the unemployment rate is only 1.3%. Additionally, employment for web developers is expected to add 20,900 jobs by 2028, an increase of 13%.

2. Data Scientis.

What they do:

Data Science is an ever-evolving field. It often helps build machine learning models, artificial intelligence algorithms, and recommendation engines across a variety of industries. But one responsibility nearly all Data Scientists have in common is that they collect, clean, organize, and evaluate data in order to provide actionable insight to the business.

Why it’s the best job:

Not only is Data Science one of the highest paying technical careers, with a median annual salary of $113,000, but data scientists tend to report some of the highest job satisfaction scores in tech (4.3/5). With nearly 24,000 current job openings, it’s a job market primed for growth.

3. Information Technology (IT) Manager

What they do:

IT Managers tend to wear many hats. They are responsible for every aspect of an organization's technology so they’ll often ensure cybersecurity programs are functioning properly, develop long-term innovation plans for the company, manage the technical day-to-day operations, and more. Executive roles, including CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and IT directors are a few of the titles considered by IT Managers.

Why it’s the best job:

The Chicago job market is particularly lucrative for IT Managers with a typical salary range of $117,868 to $144,966. Unemployment of IT Managers is already low, at only 2%, and the demand for this position is expected to increase

significantly within the next few years.

4. Software Developer

What they do:

Developing software is about more than just writing code. Programming is critically important, of course, but developers work with users and peers to solve complex problems, find ways for different applications to work together, find and fix errors, and optimize existing applications for new systems and purposes. Problem-solving, communication, and collaboration are skills as important as the ability to code.

Why it’s the best job:

The current median salary of $103,620 makes software development a top career for 2021. The low unemployment rate (1.6%) and expected growth (26% by 2028) mean companies will be hiring for years to come.

5. Information Security Analyst

What they do:

Information Security Analysts monitor computer systems for anything and everything that may pose a security threat. This can range from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and ransomware to insider threats and user error. They’re then responsible for using the security tools and programs provided by the company to help prevent, mitigate, and repair any damage the exposure may have caused.

Why it’s the best job:

Security is a constantly growing and changing field. The growth in security threats gives the U.S. Bureau of Labor reason to expect a 31% increase in employment over the next ten years. With a current median salary of $99,730 per year, Information Security Analysts are bound to remain as one of the prime roles of the future.

6. Operations Research Analyst

What they do:

Operations research analysts use predictive modeling and statistics to help companies increase efficiency. They work both in the private sector (often in insurance and finance) as well as the public sector (such as for the Department of Defense).

Why it’s the best job:

The median salary for Operations Research Analysts is currently $83,390 with an unemployment rate of 2.1%. It's also expected to be one of the best jobs for 2021 because employment is expected to increase by 26% by 2028, adding 28,100 jobs.

7. DevOps Engineer

What they do:

DevOps, as the shortened name implies, bridges the gap between developers and operations. They're often tasked with the job of automating processes, streamlining current systems, building tools for deployment, and solving problems across multiple environments (e.g. development, testing, production). The key to becoming a successful DevOps Engineer is often the ability to work collaboratively with many different teams at the same time.

Why it’s the best job:

The demand for DevOps Engineers is expected to increase by 24% in just the next few years. That combined with a median annual salary of nearly $100,000 making it one of the best job markets for the future.

8. Solutions Architect

What they do:

Solutions Architects have to be outstanding problem-solvers and equally strong communicators. They tend to manage some of the most complex processes that a business may face, determine the best technical solution to those problems, and effectively communicate them to all stakeholders to earn their buy-in.

Why it’s the best job:

With over 70,000 jobs currently hiring, Solutions Architect is one the most in-demand IT roles on this list. With a median salary of $111,000 as well, it’s positioned to be the best job, both now and in the future.

9. Java Developer

What they do:

One of the toughest questions a developer must face is what programming language(s) they should learn. While Python, Javascript, Swift, and many others continue to see growth in their popularity, Java is most commonly used by large businesses worldwide. Java Developers, in that setting, are often creating client-server applications. Additionally, being object-oriented, general-purpose programming can be used to create almost any software solution.

Why it’s the best job:

Senior Java Developers (5+ years of experience) typically make over $100,000 per year and the market is expected to grow by 26% by 2028. The main draw to the field, though, is its stability. With most of the world's large companies relying on Java to run their systems, it’s unlikely we’ll see a decline in demand anytime soon.

10. Cloud Architect

What they do:

More and more large-scale organizations are making the migration to cloud computing. Cloud Architects may be working on a variety of cloud platforms (including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and/or Microsoft Azure) but their responsibilities tend to stay the same. They are responsible for setting up all of the components needed to store and manage data across many remote servers. This can include setting up both back-end and front-end components, securing the networks, optimizing speed and efficiency, and much more.

Why it’s the best job:

Cloud Architects are particularly in demand right now as companies make the digital migration. Because of this, the median salary of $128,418 is one of the highest on this list. As these migrations are completed, demand may decline slightly, but it’s still expected to grow by 5% over the next 7 years.

Conclusion

The technology industry is growing rapidly and you can easily get the necessary certifications online while studying from home. Follow the above-mentioned ideas to get new certifications to grow your skills.