Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation
ICT 001 (Software Applications and Network Systems
Used In Seagoing Ships)

WEEK 10 & 11

TOPIC : Software Common Issues

STCW
Operate computers and computer networks on ships
Competence

Understanding of:
KUP KUP3. Basic computer malfunctions

CO2: Troubleshoot basic computer malfunctions as per manufacturer's

Course Outcomes
instructions

LO2.1. Explain the procedures for diagnosing and rectifying the

Learning
common software problem of computer systems in accordance with the
Outcomes
manufacturer’s manual.

1. The learner reads the given materials and watches the

supplementary videos on the link provided.
Learning Activities 2. Actively participate in the discussion and demonstrate the
knowledge on the troubleshooting techniques.
3. The learner answers the Midterm Assessment 3 (Quiz no. 3) and
Midterm Assessment 4 (Quiz no. 4)

INTRODUCTION

Software issues are common and can arise for a variety of reasons, including coding
errors, hardware incompatibilities, or configuration problems. Below are some common software
issues and troubleshooting steps:

1. Software Crashes

 Symptoms: The application closes unexpectedly or stops responding.

 Causes: Insufficient memory, unhandled exceptions, corrupt files, or outdated software
versions.
 Troubleshooting Steps:
o Check System Requirements: Ensure your system meets the software's
minimum hardware and software specifications.
o Update Software: Check for patches or newer versions to fix known bugs.
o Run in Compatibility Mode: For older software, use compatibility settings
(Windows, for example, offers a "Run as Windows XP" option).

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 o Check Logs: Analyze error logs to identify the root cause.
o Reinstall Software: Sometimes, a fresh installation resolves corruption or
missing files.

2. Slow Performance

 Symptoms: Software runs slower than expected, lags, or becomes unresponsive over
time.
 Causes: Excessive resource usage, memory leaks, outdated hardware, or running too
many applications at once.
 Troubleshooting Steps:
o Close Background Programs: Free up system resources by closing
unnecessary applications.
o Update Hardware Drivers: Ensure that your hardware drivers, especially for the
graphics card and memory, are up-to-date.
o Optimize Software Settings: Reduce graphics quality or other performance-
intensive settings within the software.
o Increase Virtual Memory: Adjust virtual memory (paging file) settings for better
performance.
o Monitor Task Manager: Use task manager to check which processes are
consuming the most CPU, RAM, or disk space.

3. Installation Issues

 Symptoms: Errors during software installation, failure to complete installation, or

missing components.
 Causes: Conflicting software, insufficient permissions, corrupt installation files, or
insufficient disk space.
 Troubleshooting Steps:
o Run as Administrator: Install the software with administrator privileges.
o Check Disk Space: Ensure that you have enough storage on your system.
o Download New Installer: The installer could be corrupted. Download a fresh
copy from the official site.
o Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable your antivirus software, as it may block
certain installation components.
o Check Logs: Review installation logs for specific error codes.

4. Compatibility Issues

 Symptoms: Software doesn’t work as intended with a particular operating system,

hardware, or other software.
 Causes: Incompatibility with newer operating systems, missing drivers, or conflicting
software.
 Troubleshooting Steps:
o Check Compatibility: Ensure the software supports your operating system and
hardware.
o Run in Compatibility Mode: Use compatibility settings for older programs on
modern systems.
o Update Drivers: Ensure all hardware drivers are up-to-date.
o Install Required Libraries: Some software may need specific libraries (like
.NET, Java) to run properly.

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5. Freezing or Hanging

 Symptoms: The software becomes unresponsive and fails to execute commands.

 Causes: Overloaded CPU or memory, unhandled exceptions, or software conflicts.
 Troubleshooting Steps:
o Force Close and Restart: End the task in Task Manager (Windows) or Force
Quit (macOS) and restart the program.
o Update Software: Apply patches to fix known bugs.
o Check for Conflicts: Ensure that the software isn’t conflicting with other
programs or system resources.

6. Update Fails to Install

 Symptoms: The update process stops, error messages appear, or the system reverts to
the previous version.
 Troubleshooting:
o Check Storage: Ensure there is enough free disk space for the update. Clear
unnecessary files if needed.
o Internet Connection: Verify that your internet connection is stable.
o Disable Antivirus Software: Sometimes antivirus programs interfere with
system updates. Temporarily disable them and try again.
o Retry or Use Manual Update: Restart the device and try the update again, or
manually download the update from the manufacturer's website.

7. System Becomes Unresponsive After Update

 Symptoms: The system freezes, crashes, or has slow performance after updating.
 Troubleshooting:
o Restart the Device: A simple reboot can sometimes fix post-update issues.
o Boot into Safe Mode: Boot the system in safe mode and uninstall the update if
necessary.
o Roll Back Update: In case the update caused major issues, use the rollback
feature to revert to the previous system version.

8. Missing or Outdated Drivers

 Symptoms: Hardware components (e.g., printer, sound card, or graphics card) are not
working or are not detected by the system.
 Troubleshooting:
o Automatic Driver Update: Use the built-in device manager (Windows) or
Software Update (macOS) to check for driver updates.
o Download from Manufacturer Website: If automatic updates don’t work, go to
the hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
o Use Third-Party Driver Updaters: Tools like Driver Booster or DriverPack
Solution can help automatically find and update missing or outdated drivers.

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9. Antivirus Slowing Down System Performance

 Symptoms: The computer runs noticeably slower, especially during scans or while the
antivirus is running in the background.
 Troubleshooting:
o Schedule Scans During Off-Hours: Set antivirus scans to occur during times
when you are not using the computer.
o Check for Background Processes: Disable unnecessary background
processes within the antivirus software that may consume CPU or memory.
o Switch to a Lighter Antivirus: Some antivirus programs have lower system
resource usage. Research and switch to a lightweight option if necessary.

10. Antivirus Blocking Software Installations

 Symptoms: When trying to install new software, the antivirus blocks the process,
suspecting it as malicious.
 Troubleshooting:
o Temporarily Disable Antivirus: Disable the antivirus temporarily while installing
the software, but ensure the software is from a trusted source.
o Use Silent or Gaming Mode: Some antivirus programs have modes that allow
installations without interference.

11. Port Conflicts

 Symptoms: Two or more services or applications are trying to use the same port,
leading to connection issues.
 Troubleshooting:
o Check for Port Conflicts: Use tools like netstat or Task Manager (on Windows)
to check if two services are trying to use the same port.
o Assign a Different Port: Configure one of the services to use a different port
number.

Supplementary Videos to Enhance Learning

Basic Troubleshooting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piThCEdePc4
Software Troubleshooting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnWdgV7MZsU
&t=15s

Assessment Tasks

Formative Assessment 2.1: At the end of the learning activities, the student should be able to
answer the Midterm Assessment 3 and 4 (Quiz no. 3 and 4: multiple choice questions) about
Software, Hardware and Network common issues.

References
 https://stackoverflow.com/
 https://www.techrepublic.com/
 https://www.tomshardware.com/