Working from home can mean becoming your own IT manager, particularly for those without support from an employer or other organisation. Don't worry, as it is not as complicated as it sounds. The main thing is to have alternatives when things go wrong. And they will.
Make problems less likely
This should be obvious, but install antivirus software, or use an antivirus service. Never open unexpected attachments, and be very wary with software from file-sharing systems. If you have a broadband connection, install a firewall to protect your computer being taken over by hackers.
If you don't already have antivirus and firewall software, try free packages such as Grisoft's antivirus software ( www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php) or Sygate's Personal Firewall ( smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm). Make sure you update the software regularly as prompted.
For more detailed advice on protection, read Jack Schofield's "Ask Jack" columns, which can be searched at www.theguardian.com/online. More generally, it is worth cutting the amount of software on your computer if you can, and checking for updates of all your software through the company's websites, or for Microsoft-running PCs, through Windows Update on the Start menu.
The computer doesn't work
If it is still active, try to close the software that has caused the crash. Some utility software such as Norton's handle this automatically, but on a Microsoft-running PC, pressing the control, alt and delete keys together allows you to close applications individually - look for the application that has "not responding" next to it, try to close it and give it a minute to respond.
If the crash looks irretrievable, reset the machine using control, alt and delete again, or the computer's reset or on/off button. Never just unplug it as this can physically damage the hard disk.
If resetting doesn't work - or if you have a power cut, or your computer is stolen - you need a plan B. If you have a laptop or palmtop, make this your backup computer. This means copying key files across on a regular basis.
Or have a backup location, such as a nearby internet cafe, library or other public-sector web access centre, or a friend with a computer and a connection. You will need to keep those key files on a floppy, which means ensuring that your backup location accepts such disks (many do not), or use a secure online file-store.
You need to know how to access your email through the web. Your internet service provider's website might offer such a facility, although www.mail2web.com may do this better. This is also the solution to a huge email that looks set to take half an hour to download; you can decide in advance whether to delete it.
With your backup in place, there is less urgency in getting your computer repaired or replaced. If your computer is more than three years old, consider buying a new one; many organisations routinely replace PCs every three to four years. It may seem expensive, but weigh up how much time you will waste otherwise.
If this happens, you will want to have your important data already off your computer. There are firms that can rescue data from most broken or damaged computers, at a price. To avoid this, buy a CD writer if you don't have one - they can cost as little as £50 - and back up all new and changed files to CD regularly. You should also back up useful software downloaded from the internet; this will be a lot quicker than downloading it again. Store these backup CDs separately from your computer, just in case of fire or other disaster.
The phone line doesn't work
If you can't hear a ring tone, bear in mind that the old "turn it off and on" technique sometimes works here, too. Unplug the connection at the phone socket, wait a few seconds, plug in a handset and see if you have a dial tone. You may have too many devices plugged into the line. If that doesn't work, it's time to phone the telephone company.
You will probably do this on the backup phone line you already own - your mobile. It makes sense to leave the mobile number on your land line's voicemail service, as when a land line stops working, the exchange often treats it as if it were engaged.
Mobiles can also be used to collect email and surf the web, although usually at speeds that make a dial-up modem look positively nippy. It might be worth upgrading to a mobile with a built-in modem, particularly if you can get new handsets cheaply or for free through a contract. Get your portable computer and mobile to cooperate before disaster strikes - it can be an involved process.
The computer doesn't work with the phone line
If it's not the computer or the phone line, check your external modem has power; if so, it will have a light on. Then, both for internal and external modems, try restarting the computer and the modem.
If it's not the modem, it could be the internet service provider. You can see if it is working by dialling its number through a handset, and seeing if it answers with the beeps and squawks you normally hear through your computer.
If you don't get this, wait a few minutes and try again. If symptoms persist, the alternative is to keep a pay-as-you-go account with another ISP, or at least an access CD for one. Waitrose is a decent option as a backup, because it provides a freephone helpline.
If you set up a spare account, you will need to use it every so often to keep it live; once every 90 days is typical. You can then use this ISP to retrieve your email online, as explained previously.
A final tip
If you know someone who works in PC support, ask (nicely) if he or she is willing to help if you have problems, and also to give your machine a once-over every so often. Offer to pay for their time, and at least buy them a drink or two.
