How Can I Troubleshoot My System?

Service Providers:

The most common issues plaguing systems today are regarding a careful understanding of cable, satellite and u-verse type set-top boxes.  These hardware devices, provided by your service provider, can be prone to freezes, lockup, or failure.  The most common causes are interruptions in service, software or firmware updates, or power related issues (brownouts, power outages, over-voltage or under-voltage events, or dirty power).  If the unit has shut off, the answer is to simply press the power button on the front of the unit to manually turn it back on.  Sometimes, that does not work, and you'll need to "recycle the power."  This is also known as a "hard reset."  It requires actually removing power from the unit (unplugging), waiting for 60 seconds, and plugging the unit back in.  Then press the POWER button to turn it back on.  

Networks:

The second most common issue plaguing systems today are with respect to the wired and wireless network.  Creating a robust and reliable network is essential to all modern electronics systems.  Your network is made up of your modem (provided by your service provider), a router, and usually additional network switches to support numerous hardwired components (desktop computers, electronic components such as bluray DVD players and media streaming devices, smart televisions etc.), and wireless access points (which are still typically hardwired to the prior mentioned network switches) to support mobile devices including laptops, tablets, phones etc.

You have a local area network (LAN) which consists of local access within your home or business, and then a wide area network (WAN) which is typically your connection to the outside world... the internet.  Should your internet access go down, you will likely need to reboot or "hard reset" your modem.  Should your local wired or wireless network fail, you will need to reboot the router and/or the network switches to which these devices are connected.       

Power:

The third most common issue plaguing systems today are related to stable power conditions.  Brownouts can cause products to freeze or lock up, requiring a "hard reset."  Over-voltage and under-voltage events are potentially more dangerous and can cause wide equipment failures.   

Terminology:

Hard Reset - a process that is necessary from time to time, where power is removed from a piece of hardware for a period of approximately 60 seconds and then restored in and effort to reboot that product.