Hardware Troubleshooting & Tips

Before you buy a computer

Email the exact product link or a screenshot of the final configuration to joe.brewer@uky.edu before ordering. The same model name can be sold with different processors, graphics cards, memory, and storage. A name such as “gaming laptop” or “workstation” does not establish whether that particular configuration meets the requirements.

The College's current published checklist is the Fall 2027 Student Computer Checklist, approved August 24, 2026. It carries forward the existing technical thresholds.

Minimum Requirements

Strongly recommended, but not required for approval

• At least three years of coverage that includes accidental damage.
• 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD when your budget allows.
• A 1–2 TB external drive for weekly backups, stored separately from the laptop.

More memory or storage does not make up for a computer that lacks the required operating system or graphics card. Meeting the requirements also does not guarantee performance for every possible project.

Wait to purchase software until your faculty or College technology staff confirm what you need. Start with the laptop setup guide.

If you already own a computer

Send its exact configuration and tell us which program and courses you are entering. We can compare it with the published requirements and explain any gaps. The fact that one application runs on a computer does not establish that it meets the College's requirements for the full course workflow.

Common Hardware Problems & Troubleshooting Steps

Start with simple checks and keep a separate copy of current work before making changes.

• Power or charging: check the outlet, cable connections, and the correct charger for your computer. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for your exact model if it will not start.
• Sluggish performance: save your work, close applications you do not need, and check available storage and memory use. Note whether the issue affects one file, one application, or everything. Compare the computer with the requirements above before considering an upgrade.
• Heat or loud fans: use the laptop on a firm surface with its vents unobstructed. Record when the issue occurs and whether it happens during a particular workload.
• A display or peripheral problem: check the selected input/output device and cable connections. If available, test a known-working compatible cable, peripheral, or external display to help narrow down the problem.
• Wi-Fi or printing: use the Wi-Fi guide or College PaperCut setup for the relevant service instructions.

If those checks do not resolve the problem, gather the details below and contact support. A problem in a particular application may need its vendor's troubleshooting guidance.

Troubleshooting Graphics Driver Issues on Windows

Crashes, display artifacts, and poor viewport performance can have several causes. An error mentioning graphics does not, by itself, prove that a driver or graphics card is faulty.

1. Record the application version, exact error, and what you were doing when it occurred.
2. Identify the graphics card and driver version in Windows Device Manager under Display adapters and the device's Properties.
3. Check whether the issue occurs in one project or also in a small test file. Keep your original project unchanged while testing.
4. Use the laptop manufacturer's support guidance for the exact model and the application vendor's guidance for supported drivers. NVIDIA driver downloads are available for NVIDIA hardware; confirm the correct product and operating system before installing.
5. After a change, repeat the same small test and record the result. Change one thing at a time so you can tell what helped.

Application-specific minimums are separate from the College purchase requirements above. A lower minimum published by one software vendor does not change the College's Windows, memory, storage, or NVIDIA RTX requirements.

A computer may contain integrated graphics alongside its required dedicated NVIDIA RTX card. If you suspect an application is using the wrong device, include that in your support request. Updating an integrated graphics driver does not make an integrated-only computer compliant.

If routine checks do not resolve the issue, ask for help before using driver-removal utilities, changing firmware or BIOS settings, or opening the computer. The appropriate next step depends on the exact hardware and symptoms.

Help us understand a computer problem

You do not need to diagnose the problem before asking for help. Please include:

• The computer model and operating system.
• The application and version, if the problem is in one program.
• What you were trying to do, what you expected, and what happened instead.
• The exact error message or a screenshot with unrelated personal information hidden.
• Whether the problem affects one file, one application, or the whole computer.
• When it last worked and anything that changed recently.
• What you have already tried and any deadline affected.

For a license problem, include which account you used to sign in, but never send your password or a Duo code. If Adobe shows a trial or purchase prompt, follow the Adobe access instructions before buying a separate subscription.

Keep a recoverable copy of your work

Keep your current project organized in a course folder and maintain a second copy in another location. The computer checklist recommends a 1–2 TB external drive for weekly backups, stored separately from your laptop. Check that you can open a file from the backup before relying on it.

When you use a cloud folder, check that the files have finished syncing. Keep meaningful project versions so an accidental edit does not become your only copy. For linked images, textures, or reference files, back up the project folder as well as the main document.

Where to Get Help at UK

• College of Design technology questions and configuration checks: joe.brewer@uky.edu.
• University account and technology support: UK Tech Help Center, or 859-218-HELP (4357).
• Software installation: Laptop setup guide.
• Printing and account questions: PaperCut setup and help.