There are a lot of issues and errors a computer can go through in its lifetime and there are also a lot of solutions for it. Some of the solutions to a computer issue are too complicated for an average Joe to do. Let’s face the facts – we are not as tech-savvy as we think we are. There is one easy solution to a faulty computer system which is sure to resolve almost any issue – reformatting.

Reformatting the hard drive of your computer will allow you to start over from a clean slate. This is usually the solution to bad virus infections and other unmanageable software issues. Most technicians view this procedure as a last resort because it will erase any and all of your old programs and files. If you want to save your important files, you need to back-up your files in an external storage equipment. You can purchase a flash drive or external hard drive for this. There are also a lot of free online backup services that you can find. It is practical and smart that you do back-up of your important files even before a catastrophe happens. Other more drastic issues can destroy your files, which you can’t recover anymore. If you don’t want that to happen, back your files up even before disaster strikes.

Before doing this procedure, you also have to ensure that you have the needed CDs for re-installation. This should include the original operating system that came with your computer (Windows XP, Vista, ME, 7 etc.) and also all the other CDs for your applications (MS Office, games and such). If you already lost these CDs, it is important that you obtain them again; else you won’t be able to proceed with reformatting. You can download some of the applications online for free but the operating system as well as the security software is licensed, so you would need to purchase a new set.

The procedure itself, although time-consuming, is pretty easy. Most of the operating systems will just require you to boot from the installation CD, and then would pretty much take care of everything else. It will give you instructions on how to partition and then format your hard drive, all you need to do is follow them. The length of the procedure would vary, but would mostly take around 2-3 hours to finish. It isn’t necessary to stay in from of the screen all the time but you should keep an eye out for any errors that could happen along the re-installation.

Once the re-installation is done, the computer would seem “fresh” again. You might want to double check on your old programs and files before installing them back. If these old files or programs led your computer to crash or malfunction in the first place, it might not be a good idea to put them back in. This procedure is so easy that anyone can do it. Even if you have little to no troubleshooting experience, you can get through fine with re-installing an operating system.

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Most people become so attached to their laptops that they don’t want to get rid of it even when signs of old age start appearing. It is perfectly understandable why this happens. If you have had your laptop for years now, I’m sure parting with it is not a very easy thing to do. Well, the good news is – you won’t really have to. There are ways that you can do to save your beloved old laptop and improve its performance.

The cost of buying a new laptop can be too much for some people. During these trying times, not everyone can afford to just add a new expense to their already long list of expenses. Working to salvage your old laptop seems to be a more practical idea. One of the typical things that happen to old laptops is that it slows down after a few years. Adding new programs, applications, music files and videos over the years will take up a lot of space in its memory, causing it to slow down. An obvious resolution would be to clear up all the junk files you have accumulated. Go through all the clutter of files that you have and remove anything you don’t use anymore and don’t find important.

If you don’t want to totally delete them, you can just transfer these files to a USB flash drive or an external hard disc drive. Both of these are great external tools for data storage. So what is more appropriate for you? It basically depends on how much memory or storage space you need. A flash drive is more handy and will be able to store about 1GB – 8GB of your files. An external hard drive, however, is capable of storing much more from 300 GB to even Terabytes for the more high-end models. It can basically store your whole lifetime of memories in a little box.

Once you have removed all the unnecessary junk files in your laptop, it would also be advisable to do a little clean up of the registry. You don’t have to manually do the cleaning yourself as that can be such a taxing job. There are a lot of automated softwares you can download online, most of which are free, and can do the job for you in just a few clicks of the mouse. Aside from the cleaning up the registry, which is the centralized database of Windows systems, some software can also automatically detect and fix small errors. Cleaning up the registry will not just speed up the performance of your computer, it can also prevent it from getting malwares or viruses.

These steps will have your old laptop running like a brand new one again. Think of the money you can save by salvaging your old laptop and doing a little cleaning on your own. This can also be the perfect time for you to do a little organizing of your computer files.  After you have done this, regular maintenance is important to keep the laptop running smoothly.

Some computers come with more than one fan or slots where you can add more fans if you find that you need them for cooling. For instance the case I am using right now has three fans installed in it. This could be a good idea if you live in an area where you get consistent high temperatures, or if the room you have your computer set up in gets very warm.

You will want the fans to face outward, in other words you want them to function as exhaust fans, pulling the built up heat out of your case. If you mount them blowing inwards you risk the air they produce moving wires around and possibly damaging the circuits inside the case.

Once you have the fan you need to install, remove all power from the case and if necessary, move it out to an area where you have room to work on it. This will save you a lot of frustration as it is often hard to work on your computer in cramped quarters. Then remove the screws on the outside of the case that hold the fan in place. There could be anywhere from two to six screws holding the fan. Put the screws where you can find them, you will need them to mount the new fan securely in place.

Then open your computer case, remember to ground yourself by touching the exposed metal of the case before touching anything inside. This keeps static charges from damaging the circuits in the computer. Locate the fan you need to remove and gently move it as far as possible out of the way. Leave the power cables attached to it. Get your new fan out and transfer the power cables to the new fan, make sure all the cables are connected the same way they were on the old fan. When you have all the power cables connected to the new fan, move the old fan out of the way and insert the new fan. Use the screws you saved to mount the new fan securely in the case. You should be done, close the case up and connect the power and your fan should be working.

If you are like most people these days you will probably be shopping online for your new hard drive. There are many great suppliers, just make sure that the hard drive you choose is compatible with the mother board that is already installed. You should be able to find this information in the specification section of the part description. If it does not tell you what systems the hard drive is compatible with, contact the supplier and ask them or find a hard drive that does give you this information. It is much easier to ask than order it and have to return it later.

If you are going to be replacing the hard drive in a new computer then you are probably going to be looking for a SATA drive. These are much easier to install that the older IDE drives. You also need to decide if you are just replacing the current hard drive or adding a second hard drive to your system. Adding a second hard drive can be a bit more complicated than just replacing the one that came with the computer.

These are just some of the decisions you need to make before starting to install a new hard drive in your computer. We will assume you have made these choices and have your hard drive ready to go in the computer.

The first things you need to do are power down your computer and disconnect everything from the back of your tower. This makes it easier to pull the tower out and open it up. Make sure you are grounded to avoid static while working on the computer. If you are replacing the current hard drive with the new one then you will have to begin by removing the old one. The hard drive is normally located under the CD/DVD drives in your computer tower. Pay attention to how the connections are made on your current hard drive before removing it. This will make it easier to replace them on the new hard drive.

Remove the cables first before unscrewing the current hard drive from the case, sometimes the cables are difficult to remove, having the hard drive still secured makes it easier to remove the cables without damaging them. Then unscrew the current hard drive and hook the cables up to the new hard drive, if they do not fit try turning them over and retrying them. Then simply slide the new hard drive into the slot and secure it with the old screws. Close up the tower and reattach all the connections to the back and power up.

If your computer was manufactured before 2002 then you may have an older style of memory module in it. Most computers built after 2002 have DDR or DDR2 memory modules in them. If you still have your owners’s manual for the computer check in it and see what type of memory is installed

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Computers are individuals when it comes to replacing memory, there is no one-size-fits-all involved. The first thing you need to do is find out what kind of memory your computer can run. Computers can be limited to certain amounts, speeds, and manufacturers. If you buy the wrong kind of memory module it will not work in your computer.

Your computer manual should tell you what type and size of memory you already have installed. If you no longer have the computer Manual then you can turn off the power and open the tower to look at the memory module already there. Before touching anything inside the tower of your computer, first touch the metal frame to disperse any static. Remove the clips on the memory if there are any, and then gently press the tabs on both end of the memory module to release it. Do not touch the connectors’ across the bottom of the module.

Carefully lift the module out and there should be a label on it telling you what kind of memory it is and the amount and speed. While you have the tower open check for dust and blow it out with canned air. The label should read something like 128MB PC 3200 400MGz DIMM it may not say exactly that but it should be similar. While you have the tower open check and see how many slots you have for memory modules. These would be slots just like the one you removed the memory from. Normally they will be right next to each other. Write down what is on the label then gently replace it in the slot, making sure that the small bump in the bottom of the memory slot lines up with the groove in the memory module. As you press down gently on both sides the tabs should click back into place, and then just replace the clips and power back up.

You now have the information you need to order more memory and you know how to install it. You can either order the new memory module online or at your local computer store. Keep in mind that if you have two slots for memory and want to go from 128MB to 256MB then you need to order one 128MB module.

You don’t really have to have a mind like Bill Gates to be knowledgeable in computers. As long as you have the right training, you can pretty much work your way in doing computer repair yourself. Maintenance is the key. Simply put, if you don’t want your computer to crash then take care of it. Although computer systems are reliable most of the time, regular maintenance is still crucial. It is just like every other possession that you might have, which when not maintained properly can show wear out signs pretty quickly. If you are able to properly maintain your computer on the other hand, it is less likely to have problems.
So how do you properly maintain a computer? There are two major components to it: the hardware and the software. Taking care of the hardware is pretty basic. This would generally just entail you to protect the exterior part of the computer. Clean the surfaces with a lint-free cloth but never spray liquid cleaners directly on the computer. Also, protect it from scratches or possible accidents that can cause it to break and get damaged by placing it in a secured area.
Regular maintenance of the software can be a bit more complicated. To avoid troublesome computer repair issues, an essential thing you need is good security software. This would protect it from harmful files you can get online. Trojan worms, viruses and other malicious software are rampant on the internet. A good security software will be able to detect a harmful file before entering your computer’s system. Repairing a virus infected system is not just taxing, it can also be expensive. If you regularly scan your system, it will be an effective preventive measure against infections.
You can learn about the different ways of training for computer repair issues in many different ways. There are audio books and even videos that you can find on the internet to help you out. You don’t have to enroll in an advanced training program for you to handle a computer, unless you want to be a skilled technician. Most of what’s available online are free. Troubleshooting a computer issue, like what experts say, is a trial and error process. This means that you sometimes have to exhaust every option available to get it fixed.
Don’t be scared to try and repair your computer. If the issue is too complicated for you to resolve, then it’s time to pass it on to an expert. Be prepared to shell out some money because this might cost you a bit. If your laptop or desktop still has an active warranty, then you are lucky. The manufacturer should be able to take care of the problem for you. But whether your computer is new or not, regular maintenance is still essential for a healthy computer.

Mythbusting: Debunking Common Windows Performance Tweaking Myths

Top 10: Top 10 Ways To Clean Up Your PC

One thing that I will add that wasn’t included in the Top 10 list or the Mythbusting is concerning Service Packs. Service Packs are released on a regular basis from Microsoft, as well as numerous other updates. They are worth installing for two main reasons. First, the Service Packs can improve performance issues (example: Vista). Second, getting a virus or some other form of malware is an easy way to slow down your computer, and Service Packs and updates from Microsoft along with virus protection and safe internet usage and downloading can help prevent security problems from malware.

And finally, if you are dealing with a stability issue, you can always check if there are updates avaliable for your computer’s hardware. Occasionally the hardware manufacturer will realize that the original software they released needs improvement for many possible reasons, and they will release an update. Frequently they can help, but like Windows updates and Service Packs they can also cause problems. For the scientist’s who might read this blog, it’s like how certain chemicals are fine by themselves but when combined with others, they can create a lethal or toxic combination.

BONUS TIP: BACKUP ALL IMPORTANT FILES! before making any changes to your computer and just on a regular basis. It will save you heartache, the only question is when it will.