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How to Troubleshoot the Worst PC Disasters

Vanishing files? Flaky connections? Don't panic! Here's what to do when technology turns evil.

Michael Desmond

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What do you do when your computer suddenly seems possessed? Whether it's satanic software or a hard drive from hell, there are hundreds of vexing problems that can make it devilishly difficult to get anything done.

Don't call for an exorcist just yet. For most people, a little troubleshooting knowledge goes a long way. We'll show you how to solve puzzling network failures, save devices that were accidentally dropped in water, retrieve mistakenly deleted digital photos, and even revive a dead hard drive by popping it into a freezer.

Not every trick in these pages will work for everyone, but they're worth a shot when things go bad. With a pinch of luck and a bit of skill, you can send those digital demons back to wherever they came from.

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