Tag: Hard Drive Repair

Like it or not computers have become more of a necessity than not. Computers are no longer a nonessential piece of equipment in your life. Everywhere you turn computers are present from the office to the gas station life is made easier because of them. They help add to the attractiveness of your office and school presentations as well as increase the accuracy of your banking and tax calculations. In our normal every day routines, computers have done a variety of things for us some that we may even take for granted day to day.

Computer variations are abundant. No matter what form the computer you use comes in one thing is true of all of them; computers are smart, fragile, require care and regular maintenance. We should never take technology for granted; we should never treat the computers we use recklessly. The hardware inside our computer systems can be damaged with improper use. This will affect the performance of your computer. In order to keep your computers running at their best you need to take proper care of them inside and out. Proper maintenance will keep computers, big and small, running at optimal efficiency.

One thing that computer owners can do to ensure their computers are kept running up to par is by covering them. Dust is an enemy of computer systems and can enter through even the tiniest crevices. Once dust settles on computer hardware it can start to cause harm. Dust on the central processing unit causes a weird humming noise that stems from the fan. The computer may not perform well or may end up crashing if too much dust and debris is allowed to build up. Keep your computer covered when you are not using it to prevent dust from building up. Regular maintenance in the form of a computer tune up yearly can help as well.

Prevention is the best way to keep your computer running optimally. This is one of the many reasons that it is best not to eat or drink while using your computer. Laptops and desktops alike are prone to serious damage when exposed to liquids of any kind. Small particles entering the keyboard can also cause damage that will affect the computer negatively. The best practice when it comes to a computer is to avoid drinking and eating while on using your system.

When you regularly maintain your computer it will run smoother. Regularly scan your computer for malware and virus’s. Keeping your anti-virus up to date and run regular scans to prevent malware and viruses from taking hold of the software within your computer. Keeping your computer files protected will help ensure that your computer will not need major computer repairs later on down the road.

These are just a few tips to help you keep your computer running correctly no matter what you use it for in your day to day life.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repairas well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas. You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Our current environment is surrounded with technology.  Computers are everywhere!  Our phones are computers, refrigerators have computers that can order food directly from grocery stores and work places network together so that projects that are being done on one system are shared throughout in real time.  When the technology breaks down productivity slows to a crawl.  This is just one of the many reasons that you need to have an I.T. specialist on speed dial.

Computer repair comes in many forms, from corporate I.T. to residential computer repair; all machines can run into problems.  If your computer system or network is feeling underperforming there are a bunch of things that could be on inside of it.  Below are three of the top computer repair issues that can interfere with your computer’s ability to perform.

The most common issue with computers is that they become infected.  Even when running up to date anti-virus protection on your computer a virus can infect your network.  More and more people are using the World Wide Web.   With that in mind consider the amount of files that are unknowingly downloaded that are infected.  Spyware, malware and computer viruses have been around since the beginning of the computer age.  They are created to destroy and damage files while slowing your system down and violating your privacy.  If you suspect that your computer has been infected it is crucial to get your system in to a computer repair center.  There the virus can be removed; infected files deleted and updated antivirus protection installed.

Another common issue in the world of technology is a computer unit that will not properly boot up. This may be one of the scariest issues to have happen with your computer as retrieving the files stored on the system may not be possible.  The hope when a computer is not booting properly is that your power supply has failed.  This is a best case scenario. Otherwise a bigger issue may be present, one way or another computer failing to boot need to be brought in for repair immediately.

If you find your computer running slowly it is crucial to have the system looked at by a computer repair specialist.  Computers, like cars, need to be maintained and tuned up to keep running properly.  When a system is slow it may mean a number of things.  One thing that often occurs is that several unnecessary programs and tool bars have been unknowingly installed which in turn uses available memory up slowing the system.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

After repairing hundreds of computers it is evident that the most common computer issues arise when clueless computer users try to navigate fixing their computer issues on their own.  Many people don’t realize how delicate computer systems are.   When doing repairs on your computer you are basically performing surgery.  Would you ever try to perform surgery on one of your children or pets?  Probably not, right?  The same should be true when it comes to repairing your pc.  Allowing a professional computer technician to work on your computer allows you to be confident that the repairs will be completed correctly.  You also don’t have to worry about other issues occurring from the repairs that are completed.

Here are some tips to keep your computer in tip top shape.

1)      General computer maintenance and yearly tune ups on your system help to prevent major complications and computer repairs later on.  Taking proper care of your machine will help to keep your computer running longer and faster.  Don’t download extra tool bars or allow random pop ups to download software to your computer.  All that does is bog your computer down and possibly infect your system with malware.

2)      It’s called a lap top but that doesn’t mean it should be set on your lap while you are using it.  Using your laptop on a comforter or other cushy surface will restrict air circulation and cause the computer to overheat.  Use the nubs on the base of the computer to place the laptop on a hard surface.  You can purchase special that have a cushy base with a hard top to use especially for when you want to use your lap top in bed.

3)      Another thing that many lap top users do is put their laptop into the carrying case before the computer has completely shut down.  This is hard on your computers hard drive and memory.  Wait until the computer has shut down completely before moving it about and placing it in a bag.

4)      Laptops work best if they are not left plugged in at all times.  Leaving a laptop plugged in at all times diminishes the life of the battery and does not allow it to function as it is intended.  Try taking your computer off the charger at least two to three times a week and use the battery as the only source of power.  This will ensure the computer is being worked in the manner it was intended to and will increase the longevity of the battery life and performance of the system.

5)      Dust is another frequent issue with computers.  This is something that can easily be avoided with yearly tune ups.  If you see that your system is getting a bit bogged down with dirt and dust take it in and have the system tuned up.  Never try to blow the dust out on your own at home.  This can lead to dust clogging up areas that are important within the computer system.

Computer repairs are meant to be accomplished by computer technicians just as surgery is to be performed by surgeons.  Be sure to really understand and know what you are doing before you attempt any computer repairs at home and realize that you are probably causing yourself a bigger headache for the technician who has to fix your repairs later on.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

When it comes to repairing computers is it safe to make computer repairs on your own?  There are many resources available to assist computer novices with computer services.  It is important to understand when you can tackle a computer challenge on yourself or when a computer repair should be left to the experts.   It is like understanding when you should hire a mechanic or when you can fix the clink the engine is making on your own.  Or when your furnace is in need of maintenance, do you call a repair technician or can you handle fixing the filters on your own?  It is all about knowing when computer repairs are within your abilities verse when you are only going to make a bigger issue trying to repair it on your own.

One of the biggest differences between computers and cars or furnaces is that when you buy parts you are guaranteed to get something that works.  With computers there are programs out there that are set in motion to purely sabotage your efforts and cause havoc to your hard drive.  You want to be sure that you are using the proper tool for the job you are hoping to accomplish.  If you are looking for a program to help clean your computer registry it is important to research online which tools work correctly.

One thing that happens with computer registry clean ups is that you run them and they detect settings that you actually use but mistake them as settings that are no longer important.  Registry cleaners are only as accurate as the technician behind them.  Always verify that you no longer need the entry before you choose to delete it.  You want to delete the entries safely.

Another thing that can be attempted in computer repair is virus removal.  This is a trickier application then most to figure out if you are using a program that is useful or one that is in fact actually downloading more viruses and spyware to your computer.  Again you will want to be sure that you research what programs are the best in virus removal.  Once the process has been completed you will want to install antivirus protection.

There are many things that you will be able to do on your own to repair your computer.  When you think that you have reached a point where you feel like you are in over your head it is important that you know to stop and handed it over to the experts.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Has your computer been acting strange lately? Whether it is running slow or having trouble loading email it is quite possible you have something deeper going on inside of your computer. When your computer stops working properly it is time to get it in for professional computer repair. The longer you wait, the worse the problem may get or the deeper a virus can become embedded. When selecting a computer repair company it is significant to find out what types of repairs they offer and whether they charge an hourly rate or flat service fee for computer services.

When it comes to computer repair the sooner you get help after having a problem the better. If your computer has become infected with a virus it is possible that it can further damage the internal components if not dealt with immediately. Don’t panic when something goes wrong with your computer. The worst thing you can do when a problem arises is to run tasks, update programs or delete files. What you need to do is instantly shut the computer system down and bring it in for immediate repair.

Below we will answer computer repair questions relating strictly to computer viruses.

What should a computer user do if they suspect that a virus has infected their computer?

As mentioned earlier it is important to shut the computer down and take it in for a professional computer virus removal. After the virus has been removed completely from the system you must install up to date antivirus software. With antivirus protection the computer system is less likely to become infected again. Antivirus protection doesn’t eliminate the possibility of viruses but helps to cut down on the likelihood your computer will become infected. Free antivirus protection is often as equally protective as the paid versions as long as it is frequently updated. Updates on antivirus protection are important to prevent new virus strands from infecting your computer.

What should computer users do to avoid getting a virus?

Not only should computer users install antivirus protection they should be careful about what they open and download. Use a trusted internet browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox. These browsers are well known, popular and trusted in the internet community. When opening emails and downloading attachments be sure you know what you are downloading. Even if you know the sender the attachment could be infected. Hackers are known to get into the email systems and send out infected emails. You are more likely to open something when the email address is from someone you know. Also be careful when downloading tool bars and other tools meant to help your user experience.

What should a computer user do if their computer is getting slow?

Just like your car needs a regular tune up so does your computer. Computers are likely to become bogged down with programs that have been downloaded and installed that are actually not necessary to your user experience. A computer tune up will erase programs that are not in use. If the system is to overloaded and deleting files is not helping speed up the computer it may be necessary that your computer repair specialist do a complete operating system reload. With this the computer will be returned to exactly how it came straight out of the box. You will need to reload any software you use back on to the computer as well as the information on the back up that is needed by the user.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas. You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Many computer users are complete novices.  Not everyone who has to use technology today really understands the components they are using.  Many can’t even begin to tell you the technical name for the screen that looks similar to a television that shows them an image of what they are typing.  Let alone the real name for the keys that resemble a type writer that they press that tells the big box what to make appear on the screen.

Basic computer hardware components are designed with the sole purpose for inputting and outputting data.  The following components are the basics that allow you computer to run in the manner that you have come to except and to accept as reasonable.  A better understanding of computer components will help you understand computer repairs later on.

Monitor

The monitor is the area in which the images from your computer are displayed.  The monitor resembles a television screen.  All of the pictures and videos that come from the computer are viewed on the monitor.  Newer monitors are made of flat screens or LCD screen that help to create crisp images and protect the users vision from the harmful radiation that older computer monitors that used CRT, glass tubes.

Keyboard

A keyboard is the piece of equipment that is used to input information into the computer.  It is connected to the computer using the USB port.  Keyboards can be used wirelessly or wired.  The keyboard is fitted with keys that represent the alphabet as well as numerical keys and random keys that are essential to send messages to the computer. Keys pressed in combination with one another send a unique message to the computer.

Mouse

The mouse is an external component of the computer that allows for navigation on the computer monitor.  The mouse is able to be moved not only from left to right and up and down but anywhere within the space on the monitor.  The mouse enables the user to point to an area and click to gain immediate access.

Central Processing Unit

The brain of the computer is known as the CPU.  The central processing unit is a piece of hardware that performs all of the operations and calculations.  The speed in which you wish the computer to work is dependent on the size of the CPU.  A central processing unit that is powerful can adjust to a higher number of tasks at one time than that of a smaller CPU.

Memory

An internal component of the computer is called its memory.  The memory will connect to the computer via the mother board.  The computer’s memory can be adjusted depending on the size of the mother board and the desires of the owner.  There are usually two extra spaces for memory on the motherboard to increase the computers performance.

Hard Drive

The hard drive is the internal storage device for the computer.  The hard drive is where everything is stored.  It saves the information so that you can access it at a later time.  If you find your hard drive space is limited you may want to free space by using an external hard drive for additional storage.  The hard drive is the file cabinet for your documents, pictures, movies, games and more.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

The world today relies on technology.  Without our computers working properly everyday life and business slows down to almost a halt.  This is why it is so important that you are familiar with a local computer repair shop that works to provide services not only to personal computers but also large corporate I.T. networks.  It is important that you find a company that can meet all of your needs no matter the size of your company or personally as a residential client.  It is crucial that the computer repair, I.T. specialists you choose are familiar with all of the following repairs that your network or personal computers may need.

Crucial Computer Repair Services

• The most common issue with computers today is viruses and malware.  No matter how careful you are no matter what anti-virus protection you have installed your computers and networks are all exposed to hackers that wish to infect not only your computer but also your network.  It is important that you find a company that offers complete computer virus removal services.  Many local companies can remote into your computer and offer this service if you are in a pinch but be sure that you bring your computer in to their service center for a thorough cleaning and tune up.
• Hardware repairs are the next service that needs to be offered by the I.T. Company you hire.  All repairs including hardware, physical damage and accessory replacements should be provided.  It is possible that your computer may only have some physical damage to face your computer; it is important that they can address this need as well.
• It is not all about the main computer unit when it comes to I.T. networking.  Computer technicians working on your system also need to know how to work with computer accessories including scanners, printers and other essential parts that need to work with your system.
• Find a company that offers data recovery and back up as well.  It is so important that all of your data be backed up.  Often times we see that this is not the case where in lies the need for data recovery.  If you have lost data that is irreplaceable you will want to have a professional who is aware of the time sensitivity of your issue and that will begin recovering what they can of your data as soon as possible.
• Your I.T. professionals should be able to assess all situations including troubleshooting and network errors.  These issues are more complex than most computer repair issues and will need an expert to address them.
• Maintenance is important when making sure your computer systems and networks are running in top condition.  Find a professional that values computer maintenance more than computer repair.  This will help to save you thousands of I.T. repair dollars in the long run.  Maintaining your computer is as important as maintenance on your car or your health.  Maintenance keeps issues from occurring which is important to avoid any disruptions in service.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

When it comes to computers and technology in general there are a number of problems that can occur.  Computer repair issues can be handled in a number of different ways including on site, remote log in or in shop.  Companies working with both residential and corporate I.T. professionals often can diagnosis an issue within your computer or network by simply logging into your computer remotely. This helps to save both time and money.  Although the issue with your server, personal computer or network could be a myriad of things there are three issues we see that cause computer failure more often than any others.

Three Common Computer Repair Issues

• Virus/Malware Removal:  This is the most common issue seen with computers.  What occurs when a virus has infected your computer is that a piece of harmful software has been downloaded on to your computer.  When this occurs the virus spreads throughout your computer deeply embedding itself.  Viruses, spyware, trojan horses, rootkits, adware and other harmful software can affect the way your computer runs as well as allow access to personal information stored or accessed on the system.  It is crucial the minute you suspect you have been infected that you turn your computer off and have a computer repair expert run scans on your computer to remove the infection.  

• Computer Running Slow: A computer will begin to run slowly when you have used up the allotted storage space.  You may not even realize it is happening but each new program you download or document you save takes up valuable space on your hard drive.  When this occurs it is easy to overload your system creating a slow running computer.  To repair this issue a computer technician will run a tune up on your machine.  During this process scans will run that pin point downloads and software that is not used by the system.  From there this information can be deleted from the hard drive, freeing up space and allowing the computer to run more efficiently. 

• Connecting to the Network/Internet:  This could be one of the most frustrating issues computer users face on a daily basis.  Without access to the internet most business activity comes to a halt.  I.T. professionals go onsite to diagnosis an issue with your network or internet after they have tried troubleshooting obvious issues such as the rebooting the computer or resetting the router.  Many times nothing has changed from the previous day yet the connection is not available.  Often computer network and internet connection issues are as simple as resetting a router or installing new network cables.  Other times the issue is deeper rooted and requires the I.T. professionals to contact your internet service provider for assist in diagnostics.

 Other common issues seen with computer repair services include hard drive failure, dead power supplies and improperly installed drivers.  Contact your local computer repair store if you find you are having issues with your computer.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.