AI-For-Beginners Troubleshooting Guide

This guide helps you resolve common issues encountered while using or contributing to the AI-For-Beginners repository. Each problem includes background, symptoms, explanations, and step-by-step solutions.

General Issues
Installation Issues
Configuration Issues
Running Notebooks
Performance Problems
Textbook Website Problems
Contributing Issues
FAQ
Getting Help

General Issues

1. Repository Not Cloning Properly

Background: Cloning allows you to copy the repository to your machine.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
fatal: repository not found
```
Error:
```
Permission denied (publickey)
```

Possible Causes:

Incorrect repository URL
Insufficient permissions
SSH keys not configured

Solutions:

Check the repository URL.
Use the HTTPS URL:

git clone https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners.git

Switch to HTTPS if SSH fails.
If you see
```
Permission denied (publickey)
```
, use the HTTPS link above instead of SSH.
Configure SSH keys (optional).
If you want to use SSH, follow GitHub's SSH guide.

Installation Issues

2. Python Environment Issues

Background: The repository relies on Python and various libraries.

Symptoms:

Error:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '<package>'

Import errors when running scripts or notebooks

Possible Causes:

Dependencies not installed
Wrong Python version

Solutions:

Set up a virtual environment.

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate   # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

Install dependencies.

pip install -r requirements.txt

Check Python version.
Use Python 3.7 or newer.
```
python --version
```

3. Jupyter Not Installed

Background: Notebooks are a core learning resource.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
jupyter: command not found
```
Notebooks fail to launch

Possible Causes:

Jupyter not installed

Solutions:

Install Jupyter Notebook.

pip install notebook

or, if using Anaconda:

conda install notebook

Start Jupyter Notebook.
```
jupyter notebook
```

4. Dependency Version Conflicts

Background: Projects can break if package versions are mismatched.

Symptoms:

Errors or warnings about incompatible versions

Possible Causes:

Old or conflicting Python packages

Solutions:

Install in a clean environment.
Delete old venv/conda env and create a new one.
Use exact versions.
Always run:
```
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
If this fails, manually install missing packages as described in README.

Configuration Issues

5. Environment Variables Not Set

Background: Some modules may require keys, tokens, or config settings.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
KeyError
```
or warnings about missing configuration

Possible Causes:

Required environment variables not set

Solutions:

Check for
.env.example
or similar files.
Create a
.env
file and fill in required values.
Reload your terminal or IDE after setting environment variables.

Running Notebooks

6. Notebook Will Not Open or Run

Background: Jupyter notebooks need proper setup.

Symptoms:

Notebook fails to launch
Browser not opening automatically

Possible Causes:

Jupyter not installed
Browser configuration issues

Solutions:

Install Jupyter (see Installation Issues above).
Open notebooks manually.
- Copy the URL from terminal (e.g.,
```
http://localhost:8888/?token=...
```
  ) and paste it into your browser.

7. Kernel Crashing or Freezing

Background: Notebook kernels can crash due to resource limits or code errors.

Symptoms:

Kernel dies or restarts repeatedly
Out-of-memory errors

Possible Causes:

Large datasets
Incompatible code or packages

Solutions:

Restart the kernel.
Use the "Restart Kernel" button in Jupyter.
Check memory usage.
Close unused applications.
Run notebooks on cloud platforms.
Use Google Colab or Azure Notebooks.

Performance Problems

8. Notebooks Running Slowly

Background: Some AI tasks require significant memory and CPU.

Symptoms:

Slow execution
Laptop fan running loudly

Possible Causes:

Large datasets or models
Limited system resources

Solutions:

Use a cloud platform.
- Upload notebook to Colab or Azure Notebooks.
Reduce dataset size.
- Use sample data for practice.
Close unnecessary programs.
- Free up system RAM.

Textbook Website Problems

9. Chapter Not Loading

Background: The online textbook displays lessons and chapters.

Symptoms:

A chapter (e.g., Transformers/BERT) is missing or not opening

Known Issue:

Issue #303: “18 Transformers. BERT. can't be opened on the textbook website.” Caused by a filename error (
```
READMEtransformers.md
```
instead of
```
README.md
```
).

Solutions:

Check for file renaming errors.
If you’re a contributor, ensure chapter files are named
```
README.md
```
.
Report missing files.
Open a GitHub issue with the chapter name and error details.

Contributing Issues

10. PR Not Accepted or Builds Failing

Background: Contributions must pass tests and follow guidelines.

Symptoms:

Pull request rejected
CI/CD pipeline errors

Possible Causes:

Failing tests
Not following coding standards

Solutions:

Read the contribution guidelines.
- Follow the repository’s CONTRIBUTING.md.
Run tests locally before pushing.
Check for linting rules or formatting requirements.

FAQ

Where can I find help for specific modules?

Each module usually has its own README. Start there for setup and usage tips.

How do I report a bug or request a feature?

Open a GitHub Issue with a clear description and steps to reproduce.

Can I ask for help if my problem isn’t listed?

Yes! Search existing issues first, and if you don’t find your problem, create a new issue.

Getting Help

Check Issues: GitHub Issues
Ask Questions: Use GitHub Discussions or open an issue.
Community: See repository links for chat/forum options.

Last Updated: 2025-09-20

AI-For-Beginners Troubleshooting Guide

General Issues
Installation Issues
Configuration Issues
Running Notebooks
Performance Problems
Textbook Website Problems
Contributing Issues
FAQ
Getting Help

General Issues

1. Repository Not Cloning Properly

Background: Cloning allows you to copy the repository to your machine.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
fatal: repository not found
```
Error:
```
Permission denied (publickey)
```

Possible Causes:

Incorrect repository URL
Insufficient permissions
SSH keys not configured

Solutions:

Check the repository URL.
Use the HTTPS URL:

git clone https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners.git

Switch to HTTPS if SSH fails.
If you see
```
Permission denied (publickey)
```
, use the HTTPS link above instead of SSH.
Configure SSH keys (optional).
If you want to use SSH, follow GitHub's SSH guide.

Installation Issues

2. Python Environment Issues

Background: The repository relies on Python and various libraries.

Symptoms:

Error:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '<package>'

Import errors when running scripts or notebooks

Possible Causes:

Dependencies not installed
Wrong Python version

Solutions:

Set up a virtual environment.

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate   # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

Install dependencies.

pip install -r requirements.txt

Check Python version.
Use Python 3.7 or newer.
```
python --version
```

3. Jupyter Not Installed

Background: Notebooks are a core learning resource.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
jupyter: command not found
```
Notebooks fail to launch

Possible Causes:

Jupyter not installed

Solutions:

Install Jupyter Notebook.

pip install notebook

or, if using Anaconda:

conda install notebook

Start Jupyter Notebook.
```
jupyter notebook
```

4. Dependency Version Conflicts

Background: Projects can break if package versions are mismatched.

Symptoms:

Errors or warnings about incompatible versions

Possible Causes:

Old or conflicting Python packages

Solutions:

Install in a clean environment.
Delete old venv/conda env and create a new one.
Use exact versions.
Always run:
```
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
If this fails, manually install missing packages as described in README.

Configuration Issues

5. Environment Variables Not Set

Background: Some modules may require keys, tokens, or config settings.

Symptoms:

Error:
```
KeyError
```
or warnings about missing configuration

Possible Causes:

Required environment variables not set

Solutions:

Check for
.env.example
or similar files.
Create a
.env
file and fill in required values.
Reload your terminal or IDE after setting environment variables.

Running Notebooks

6. Notebook Will Not Open or Run

Background: Jupyter notebooks need proper setup.

Symptoms:

Notebook fails to launch
Browser not opening automatically

Possible Causes:

Jupyter not installed
Browser configuration issues

Solutions:

Install Jupyter (see Installation Issues above).
Open notebooks manually.
- Copy the URL from terminal (e.g.,
```
http://localhost:8888/?token=...
```
  ) and paste it into your browser.

7. Kernel Crashing or Freezing

Background: Notebook kernels can crash due to resource limits or code errors.

Symptoms:

Kernel dies or restarts repeatedly
Out-of-memory errors

Possible Causes:

Large datasets
Incompatible code or packages

Solutions:

Restart the kernel.
Use the "Restart Kernel" button in Jupyter.
Check memory usage.
Close unused applications.
Run notebooks on cloud platforms.
Use Google Colab or Azure Notebooks.

Performance Problems

8. Notebooks Running Slowly

Background: Some AI tasks require significant memory and CPU.

Symptoms:

Slow execution
Laptop fan running loudly

Possible Causes:

Large datasets or models
Limited system resources

Solutions:

Use a cloud platform.
- Upload notebook to Colab or Azure Notebooks.
Reduce dataset size.
- Use sample data for practice.
Close unnecessary programs.
- Free up system RAM.

Textbook Website Problems

9. Chapter Not Loading

Background: The online textbook displays lessons and chapters.

Symptoms:

A chapter (e.g., Transformers/BERT) is missing or not opening

Known Issue:

Issue #303: “18 Transformers. BERT. can't be opened on the textbook website.” Caused by a filename error (
```
READMEtransformers.md
```
instead of
```
README.md
```
).

Solutions:

Check for file renaming errors.
If you’re a contributor, ensure chapter files are named
```
README.md
```
.
Report missing files.
Open a GitHub issue with the chapter name and error details.

Contributing Issues

10. PR Not Accepted or Builds Failing

Background: Contributions must pass tests and follow guidelines.

Symptoms:

Pull request rejected
CI/CD pipeline errors

Possible Causes:

Failing tests
Not following coding standards

Solutions:

Read the contribution guidelines.
- Follow the repository’s CONTRIBUTING.md.
Run tests locally before pushing.
Check for linting rules or formatting requirements.