PC Repair Help: November 2011

How to Repair Your Computer

Computer repair is important because we are becoming dependent on it for every personal and professional task. There are variety of problems; some are simple while others are complicated. However, you can repair your system on your own by following some tips and tricks. Some of them are discussed here:

Computer freezing

Computers may freeze on account of any hardware or software issue, so here you need to understand the exact reason behind it. Notice if the issue started when you connected any hardware peripherals like a printer or scanner; then it might be due to a driver conflict. If the issue occurred after assembling a new hard drive, then it might be due to insufficient power or too much heat.

Follow the troubleshooting pattern below to repair your computer, if such problems occur.

First Things First If you leave your computer on all the time, you can often fix a problem by unplugging it, waiting at least 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. By cutting off the power to the motherboard, it allows the hardware to reset and the memory to clear.

Inspect Your PC for Heat-Related Issues Any time you need to open up your computer cabinet, shut down your computer and unplug it. If you have long hair, tie it back. Take off any jewelry that might get in the way. Also avoid wearing any clothing that produces a lot of static, as a spark can damage hardware and cause intermittent, hard-to-troubleshoot problems.

Open the cabinet of your computer and check the temperature of the metal chassis. If it’s hot, then certainly there is some thermal problem. Gently examine the front and rear fans and blow out any dust. You can apply a clean cloth to dust out hidden particles. Remember: Your computer must be shut down while you're cleaning inside it.

If you have more than one hard drive in your computer, avoid installing them right next to each other in the chassis; this makes them more prone to heat failure. To install an extra hard drive in a wide slot, such as the slot that holds your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, you can buy mounting brackets at a store that sells computer parts.

Even if your computer isn't having problems, it's a good idea to clean the fans regularly.

Before you close up the case, check all the cables and make sure everything is still plugged in. If you have to reseat a video card or a stick of memory, avoid applying heavy pressure to the motherboard as this can damage it.

Inspect your Device Drivers Many times when doing a Windows Update, your system may download and install an incorrect driver, which may result in the computer freezing. You can check the status of drivers from Device Manager. Unplug your USB device, if connected. Power-on your computer and see if it works. If it does, good; otherwise you can restore your computer to an earlier configuration. System Restore will roll your system back to an earlier set of drivers.

You can find System Restore at Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.

Inspect your Hard Disk Your hard disk is a storehouse of information, so when it gets used for a long duration it might get cluttered and patchy; this slows down the performance of your computer. Hence, use your Windows utility CHKDSK to scan and remove bad sectors on regular basis. It is the best preventive way of maintaining computer health.

Blue Screen of Death A more difficult time comes when your computer refuses to load any startup applications. In computer language, it is termed as "Blue-Screen of Death". There can be several causes behind this evil trauma. Let’s start with computer repair job.

Hardware Issues Any hardware conflicts can lead to this problem. Hence, if you have done any hardware replacement make sure that it’s up to the specification of your motherboard.

Rogue Programs These days, the Internet is flooded with a range of malicious programs such as spyware, adware and Trojans. These gain access to your computer through loopholes in application software or in the operating system. To eliminate these programs and fix your computer, scan with a compatible anti-virus program.

Registry Errors The Windows Registry holds information regarding hardware and software settings on your computer. If a malicious program corrupts the Registry, it may result in a blue screen error.

These problems could be fixed either manually, by editing the Registry directly, or with third-party software that can check and repair a corrupted Registry. Always back up the Registry before attempting to edit it.

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How to Reduce Computer Repair Costs

Increased computer usage is likely to increase the computer repair costs. Here are some simple methods for reducing such costs.

1. Run a disk defragmentation tool. This enhances the computers performance as well as taking pressure off the hard drive.

Check Out My Favourite tools below

- Advanced System Care

- CCleaner

- WinUtilities

2. Remove any programs that you don't need anymore. There are programs available for this function but the two blow are some of the best out there.

- IObit Uninstaller

- Revo Uninstaller

3. Use a good antivirus and make sure it is switched on. there are alot of good free AntiVirus Software but i can recommend you to a few.

- Panda AntiVirus

- Bitdefender AntiVirus

- Avast AntiVirus

- Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

- AVG AntiVirus

4. Use a good antispyware program. Protecting your computer from damaging spyware, adware and malware is crucial to make sure your PC runs as quickly as possible whilst at the same time ensuring that your information isn't compromised. i know i already listed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the antivrus category but its still a good antispyware program

5. Run a registry cleaner regularly.

- CClearner

6. Learn to do simple self-repair work. Read up on ways that you can fix simple problems with your computer.

7. Be careful when downloading files from the internet.

8. Be careful with your computer. Don't punch it or slam in the disc drive. Don't stick things inside the openings on your computer.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Ways Of Keeping Windows Computers running at High Perfomance

A slow computer is always a nuisance. Regardless of how old your computer is, you can always do something to keep it running at top speed. Just follow these important tips:

#1: Run only the necessary apps

Closing unneeded applications is one of the most basic moves you can do to increase your computer’s working speed. Aside from increasing speed, this also lessens your distractions so you are more likely to finish your work early. If you are working on Excel, close unneeded Word apps. If an app starts lagging, hit the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys and kill that app via Task Manager.

Some programs automatically start when the computer is turned on. Disabling some of those applications by unchecking the “Launch when Windows starts” box in the General or Launch settings. Before disabling any startup items, make sure that you know what you are looking at. Don’t disable anything that you are not sure about.

#2: Uninstall unwanted items

Some pre-installed applications will most likely be unused by you. Uninstall these apps by going to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall the unwanted items. Be careful: Avoid removing standard Microsoft software bundles, Photoshop, and your antivirus package if you want to loose your Info. When in doubt, ask or research about the app that you want to uninstall. When you are installing needed or wanted applications, keep your eyes open for extra software installation prompts. Uncheck the box next to it to avoid installing junk software in your PC.

#3: Keep your browser safe and simple

Updated versions of browsers can sometimes have extensions and add-ons that let your browser do additional tasks such as displaying unread emails count icon. Extensions require additional resources that could sacrifice your PC speed. You can disable these extensions by adjusting your browser settings. Look for the disable option in the Tools or near the wrench icon.

#4: Schedule your antivirus scans

While running your antivirus scan during peak hours can keep your computer safe, it could also sacrifice speed. Most of these packages have a background task that runs all the time and scans every time you download new files. To keep your browsing hours free of antivirus interruptions, schedule full scans on hours that you are not on your PC. Find the best time frame for you and make sure that your on-demand scan is enabled when setting up your schedule.

#5: Physical upgrade

When you have done everything else and the computer is still slow, you may need to upgrade your computer’s Random Access Memory (RAM). This hardware acts like a short-term memory that keeps data while they’re running. If you don’t know what kind of RAM to get, contact your local computer repair shop or your computer technician, if you have one.

Keeping your computer in tip-top shape requires keen attention and regular maintenance. Cleanup or PC every now and then and follow a maintenance schedule for your regular activities. Like your house, your computer needs good housekeeping services to keep it working at high speed. This could not only extend your computer’s lifespan, but it could also make your present PC works easier for you.

http://kozmedia.com

Sunday 13 November 2011

Seven useful Windows 7 tips

Windows 7 is a good operating system right out of the box, but tweaking some of the settings and using keyboard shortcuts can enhance the Windows experience.

Computer lovers here are seven useful Windows tips and tricks to help you get more out of Windows 7:

1. Bypass the Recycle Bin
The Windows Recycle Bin is a good safeguard against accidental file deletions. However, when you know you want to permanently delete a file, you can bypass it. Instead of pressing the Del key, press Shift+Del, then Shift+Enter to confirm.

If you prefer, you can also permanently disable the Recycle Bin. First, right-click on the Recycle Bin, then choose Properties. Click on the drive you want to disable the Recycle Bin for, then select "Don't move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted." Click the OK or Apply button to save the changes.