Networks Got to look at at 7 computers... HELP

Hi guys
a local resource centre has 6- 7 computers for the kids, now then, the woman that runs it is friends with my wife on facebook, they got into a conversation about the computers running very slow, she also mentioned a network problem, and they needed someone to have a look at them....my wife put my name forward (git)...i just need some advice guys, ie if the network needs a re-boot (will it be the same as a home network etc)...is there one pc that all the others run the internet from...i can imagin the running slow will be becouse they might be old machines with a slow cpu and little memory.
thanks guys any advice would be great

 

Do they have a central server? If not then the computers will all be connected to a switch and then a router.

 

I havent a clue matey, due there at 10:30am...so its easier with a switch and router...just a case of turning it on and off to reboot it, what about a central server
thanks

 

if its a central server, just log in and restart it, just like any other computer, you shouldn't have any problem there, unless others are using it at the time, but pre-warn.

 

The server might take a good 20 minutes to shut down but don't panic!

 

Cheers matey....oh well off i go...let you all know how i get on
thanks again guys

 

Any updates on this??

 

Be cautious with the router and the switch. If these are business devices ie not your home switch/router compo it's not a good idea to just switch them off. Make sure the running config is saved on them otherwise you may end up restarting them and having no network.

Also check the pcs themselves and check the pc nics aren't causing the congestion.

 

For 6 to 7 pcs I doubt they will have a server. I tend to find they are slow (in this type of environment) because they are riddled with worms/viruses/malware!! So be warned when you plug anything in to it then in to your own PC.

Check the spec on each PC. Do they need more ram? Are they >6 years?

If it has a server check for shares that are no longer there but mapped on the PCs these can cause the PCs to go slow.

Let us know how you got on

 

Check for old temp files, and when defrag was last run

Software + windows + bios firmware drivers updates are always useful

Run a chkdsk to make sure hard drives are in working order and at the end find out if these are business critical machines, if they are advise them to get a support contract with someone