Smart methods to detect problems with computers

Question

Especially when helping someone remotely it is sometimes difficult to identify any possible problems. I very much liked the idea of repeatedly pressing NumLock to determine if the keyboard is working for its simplicity and independence on the software currently in focus.

Any other similar methods?

Answer 1

If the screen is dark, but it could be on the wrong input, broken, or disconnected, I like to turn up the speakers and tap ctrl or shift a bunch of times (>5) and wait for the Microsoft Window's helper noise to indicate that it wants to turn on stickykeys or somesuch. Escape will cancel if you hear the noise.

Ctrl-alt-delete is pretty good for Windows too.

For linux, alt-sysrq-u, alt-sysrq-s, alt-sysrq-b to remount the disks, sync anything still waiting, and then reboot.

Is that the kind of thing you're looking for?