If you own a laptop or a netbook, you’ll know the feeling of
frustration when any kind of error message pops up and you have no idea how to
fix it. Sometimes you’ll even be faced with a blank screen with no warning of
what’s gone wrong.
Before you run to your nearest computer shop and fork out
for a laptop repair, there are a few things you can do at home to rule out
simple errors. Read on to see what these quick fixes are and how they can help
you.
Simple tips for computer problems
There could be a hundred things wrong with your laptop,
however before you pay for a technician to undertake a computer repair it’s a
good idea to rule out some issues that can be easily fixed.
Is your computer
turned on?
This may seem like you’re being taught to suck eggs, but
even the most proficient tech users can fall at this first hurdle. Make sure
you’ve tried to turn your laptop on properly.
Is your battery
properly connected?
A lack of power may be your issue here. Make sure that your
laptop battery is properly connected and attempt to power up again.
Is your screen
operating correctly?
Even though your display is dark, your laptop might be
working just fine. To check if the problem is your computer screen, try turning
the CAPS lock on and off. There should be a light operating on your keyboard to
tell you when CAPS lock is on. If this is flashing as usual, you know the
problem is not with your laptop, but with your display screen.
Troubleshooting bigger issues
If you’ve made sure that there aren’t any simple problems
causing your laptop to break, and your laptop still isn’t responding, you’ll
need to try to fix some of the bigger issues.
Overheating
As your laptop uses a lot of power to operate, you can
expect that it’s going to get hot. However, if your machine is overheating,
this can cause issues such as crashes, screen freezes and slow performance.
Dust and bits of fibres can become lodged in the air vents
of your laptop, causing the small fan inside to stop operating properly, and
therefore fail to cool down your machine. You can solve this by simply cleaning
out your air vents with a small cloth. To prevent a dust build up happening
again, make sure to monitor your laptop’s fan and vents, and clean regularly.
Spyware or Virus attack
In this digital age, it’s unfortunate that virus’ are all
over the internet. Every time we download a file, we’re putting our hardware at
risk of an infection.
You’ll usually notice straight away if a virus has taken
hold, as your laptop will start to become sluggish, and you’ll be faced with
constant pop-ups. The best method of defence in these situations is prevention.
Install an anti-virus service to protect your machine. You can find a number of
both free and paid for versions of anti-spyware, so make sure to read reviews
before you purchase.
Frozen screen
Have you been staring at the same screen for hours, and no
matter what button you press, nothing happens? Sometimes, an application you’re
running can become stuck. The quickest way to fix this is a forced application
quit.
On your keyboard, press the Ctrl, Alt, Del keys simultaneously to open up the task manager. This is a programme which
displays every application currently running. Once the task manager is running,
you can simply select your frozen application from the list and click End Task. Your laptop should be up and
running as usual in a few minutes.
No internet connection
Probably one of the most frustrating problems of modern day
is when our internet connection disappears. Whether you were midway through
watching your new Netflix show, or your daughter needs to finish her history
project, there is never a good time for the internet to go down.
The first thing you need to do is check the power on your
router. If that seems to be working fine, it’s best to restart your router. You
should find a small button on the machine itself, which you need to hold in
until you see all the lights turn off on the router. Power your machine back up
and see if your connection returns. Failing that, it may be best to check with
your internet provider as they may be experience network issues.
So, there we have it, an explanation of some of the simpler
computer problems and how you can fix them at home. Next time you find yourself
at the tech shop asking for a laptop repair, why not read our tips and see if
you can troubleshoot the issue yourself!
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.
