Our Top Tips To Repair Your Computer

If your computer starts to develop a fault, the following are some simple tips that you can try on your own before shelling out a lot of money to have your computer professionally repaired. None of the following suggestions from Hove Laptop Repairs will put your computer at risk of being damaged further as long as you carefully follow the steps. Our repair tips are focused on Windows PCs instead of Mac since Windows PCs have a tendency to develop more glitches. However, some of our tips will work for Macs as well. Do you have a faulty laptop that needs to be replaced? Avoid the worst and find the best laptop for you by checking out our top laptop recommendations coming up soon in a future post. If you have a computer that starts up fine, but it then has problems after it has started, like running very slowly or the screen freezing, then there are several tricks that can be tried.  

1. Restart your computer

It may sound like a cliche but it can actually solve many laptop and desktop problems. It is easy and quick so it’s definitely worth trying out first. If the computer screen is frozen, normally a shut down can be forced by holding the power button down until it turns off the computer and then starting it up again. If it won’t turn off using this method, then a complete shutdown can be forced. On a desktop PC, you can do that by turning the power off at the mains. On a laptop, you remove and replace the battery. This tip from Hove Laptop Repairs is probably the easiest of them all.

2. Back your files up

Even minor issues, like your computer running slow, may be symptomatic of a larger problem. In order to avoid losing important photos and files if the problem worsens, make sure to back up all of your files to either online cloud storage or an external hard drive.

3. Run security checks on your computer

If things are not running smoothly the way they are supposed to or you’re experiencing problems frequently, run a security scan on your computer. There are some very malicious viruses or malware that can prevent your computer from starting. However, it’s more common for them to make the system sluggish. If you run a security scan, it can put your mind at ease and allow you to rule out malicious attacks early on. If there is no security software installed on your computer or you’re not happy with the security you have currently, you can install better security software to protect your computer against attacks.

4. Remove any programs you have recently installed

If your computer started having problems right after installing a software program or device, whether you downloaded it online or installed it using a disk, uninstall the most recent piece of software that was installed onto your system. To do this fully and safely, from the Start Menu, navigate to the Windows Control Panel and choose ‘Add or remove programs.’ After you have successfully uninstalled the program, go back and check to see if there is any improvement. You can try to reinstall if everything is working fine once again.

5. Check for any duplicate programs

If there are two different versions of the same program running on your computer (for example, you reinstalled a software program to use the most recent version instead of using the update option on the program), it can cause problems. You can check to see if there are multiple versions of a program running on your computer by looking at the Windows Control Panel. It lists all of the programs that are downloaded on your computer. If you see any duplicates, both versions need to be uninstalled. Then try to reinstall the most recent version.

6. Don’t use multiple antivirus programs

It’s essential to use the right security software to keep your computer protected. However, running two different antivirus programs at the same time on your computer, for example running the free Microsoft Defender program that comes with Windows 10 or 8, and installing another antivirus program like one from Norton or McAfee, can result in your computer having conflicts. It can cause your computer to be sluggish and can also cause computer crashes. If your computer does have two antiviruses installed on it, make sure that just one of them is running.

7. Check for Windows updates and install them

This is a very straightforward way to ensure your computer is up to date and also should help your computer’s reliability and performance. You can get your computer set up to automatically check for Windows updates and install them. If you have not been running updates on a regular basis, it might take a while to get all of the updates downloaded but it is well worth it.

8. Perform a system restore

This is an effective and powerful method and can repair numerous PC problems. It reverts the computer system back to the final state it was in when the computer was working well. Either type system restore into the Windows search box and then choose Enter, or navigate to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > System restore. After you get to the main window, if there is a restore point that is available, the date will be in bold. Click on the date and then follow the directions of the step-by-step wizard. It will guide you through the entire process and restart your computer. If it is successfully restored, you will receive a confirmation.

9. Perform a system repair

In order to this, you will need to have the original operating systems disc for Windows. Place the disc into the drive and then restart your computer. After the computer has turned on, there will be an on-screen menu displayed with several different options. Choose Repair. Warning – do not choose the option for installing Windows – that will start a complete Windows installation and will wipe your entire drive and Windows will be re-installed from scratch. All of your data will be lost. Your data will not be affected if you use the repair option. However, to be safe, back up all of your files before you try this method. Even if your computer doesn’t start or doesn’t start properly, you might still be able to repair the problem on your own.

10. Check the connection

A desktop computer might have computer issues due to having a loose cable inside the machine, especially if you recently moved your computer. Use a small screwdriver to open up the casing on the desktop (not the monitor). Make sure all of the cables are pushed firmly into their right sockets. There are less likely to be loose connections on a laptop, but if you installed new memory recently, make sure it is firmly connected.

11. Check the battery on your laptop

Try plugging the laptop into the mains power. If the laptop works well off the mains, then you probably need a new battery.

12. Start your computer up while in Safe Mode

As soon as your computer is turned on, press the F8 key repeatedly. An on-screen menu will be displayed. Choose Safe Mode. You should then be able to start your desktop up and let you do some further investigation, including performing a security scan.

Last Words

Hove Laptop Repairs  have some great laptop repair reviews for Hove and continue to add value to all customers who use their services.

The 5 Most Common Laptop Problems

If you use a laptop for work, school or just to play games, there will come a point when there are problems. After all, nothing lasts forever, but these problems do not mean that you need a new laptop. A lot of people assume that when laptops are damaged they have to be taken to professionals or the manufacturer for repairs. This is not the case as some problems can be easily fixed with a few tweaks.

The Laptop Is Not Charging

Possibly the most common problem is that your laptop does not charge. The problem could also be that the laptop does charge, but only when you have adjusted the AC adaptor plug. The cause of this problem can be a faulty battery or a loose DC jack. The first step to fixing this will be to take the battery out and put it back in. There could be a dirty connection that stops the battery connecting to the laptop. If this does not solve the problem, you should remove the battery but not put it back in. Your laptop may run perfectly without the battery and if this is the case, you need to replace the battery. If adjusting your plug solves the charging problem, your DC jack is too loose. You will need to take the laptop to a computer shop or computer repair service to fix this issue. They will be able to replace the broken part correctly.

The Laptop Is Not Turning On

There are a few reasons why your laptop might turn off on its own and refuse to come back on. The most common cause is the AC adaptor, but only if your battery is completely dead. To check for this problem, you need to have a voltmeter and check the adaptor. If there are no signs of output, you should borrow an adaptor to see if the laptop works with the other adaptor. If the laptop does work with the borrowed adaptor, you need to buy a new adaptor. Another cause could be a broken DC jack. If your AC adaptor is working, a broken jack stops it delivering the electricity to the computer. You should try adjusting the angle of the jack and see if the laptop turns on. If a few lights turn on, but you cannot boot the computer, you have to replace your DC jack. If this fails, you could have a problem with the motherboard. The only solution to this problem is to replace it or buy a new laptop. A new motherboard can be very expensive and getting a new laptop might be the better option.

Computer Suddenly Shuts Down

After using your laptop for an hour or two, it may shut down on its own for no apparent reason. This generally happens when the laptop overheats. To check if this is the problem, you need to touch the bottom of the laptop. If this is hotter than normal, your computer is overheating. You can fix overheating by cleaning the fans, but you need to open the laptop for this. Dust is the common cause of overheating as it clogs the fans and vents stopping air circulation. You can use compressed air to clean everything and stop any overheating.

Computer Shows A Blank Screen

You turn your laptop on, all the lights startup, you can hear the fan, but the screen stays blank. You may also find that your computer keeps restarting without you doing anything. In these cases, you have memory or a motherboard problem. If the problem is memory failure, you will need to remove the memory modules. You can then put them back one at a time and turn the device on. If one of the modules allows the laptop to function and the other does not, you know the module is broken and will have to be replaced. If reseating the memory does not help, you probably have a motherboard problem. This is not easy to fix and you will probably need to get a new laptop.

Hearing A Strange Rattling Noise When The Laptop Is On

Everything runs perfectly, but when your laptop is on you hear a metallic background noise. This is not something you should ignore because it could be coming from your hard drive. Before you do anything, you need to save all of your important files and make a backup. Once everything has been saved, you should open the laptop and turn it on. You need to observe the hard drive and see if the noise comes from it. If it does, your hard drive is close to failure and you need to replace it. If the hard drive is not causing the rattling, you could have a problem with your fan. Cleaning the fan may help, but you might need to replace it. The way you do this will depend on the laptop you have and you might need to take it to a computer store for this. If these steps do not help with the problems you have, you need to take your laptop to a professional. They will be able to determine the problem and tell you if they can fix it. They will also be able to handle all the repairs to manufacturer standards. Providing laptop repairs in Brighton has allowed us to see the kinds of problems laptops encounter on a day to day basis and the ones above are very common. You can also find Hove Laptop Repairs on social media for all the latest information and updates.

How To Fix The 5 Most Common Laptop Problems

With much of the corporate world being mobile, computing power needs to match the user’s needs. Laptops have evolved over the years to accommodate this and transformed from heavy and bulky items to sleek and lightweight. However, the upgrades to laptops have not solved all the problems and there are many issues that often arise. Some of these issues are more common than others and you need to know how to address them when they come.
Doing computer repairs in Hove has given us an insight as to the most common problems as we’ve listed below:

Loud Fan Or Heating Followed By The Laptop Shutting Down

With their portable nature, laptops are moved around a lot. This movement can lead to a lack of air intake to the fan. The laptop is also presented with more opportunities to drag foreign particles into the cooling system via the fan portal.

The best solution to this issue is to use your laptop on a hard flat surface. You should avoid soft surfaces that are likely to block the air passage. If you have this problem, you should also clean the fan with compressed air. Limiting the number of programs you run at any time will also help as it lightens the load on the system.

The Laptop Is Running Slowly

This is very common and is generally related to the amount of space on your hard drive. Malware can also cause this and this is the first sign of equipment failure. Fortunately, there are a lot of steps you can take to improve the speed. Some of these steps will work for your computer while others may not make much difference, but they are all worth trying.

The Battery Drains Quickly

One of the most important features of a laptop is the ability to move around without a plug. When you do this, you will have to keep an eye on the battery life. A common issue people have is that their battery does not last very long and seems to drain too quickly.

The first step to overcome this will be to check your charger connections to ensure they are snug. You should then drain the battery completely and recharge it. Many people do not realise that one of the best solutions is to get rid of all the energy and trying again. If the batter continues to drain quickly, you might have to replace it.

Not Connecting To The Internet

A notorious problem with laptops is the internet connection dropping out. Not only is this a common issue, but it is also a serious hassle for users. Before you start looking for equipment failures, you need to take a few steps.

The first is to find the wireless button that many laptops have or navigate to the connection settings. You should ensure that this is actually on before continuing. You will then need to try rebooting your router by pulling the plug. If you still have issues with your connection, you have to try troubleshooting your network connections in the control panel of the laptop. The last step you should try is to re-build the network to ensure all your connections are properly set up.

A Black Screen

If you turn on your computer, can hear it running, but are faced with a black screen, you might start to panic. This is a common issue that you can try to troubleshoot.

The first step is to unplug your laptop and remove the battery. You should then hold the power button down for 30 to 60 seconds. You then need to plug in the power cord and re-boot. Shut down the laptop again before putting the battery back and re-booting.

There are a lot of DIY fixes that you can try to overcome your laptop issues. If you still have problems, you should take your laptop to a repair professional like us at https://hovelaptoprepairs.uk/

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