Should I repair or upgrade my Laptop or desktop Computer
Laptop Computer repairs
Computer running slowly... Should I repair or buy a new laptop or desktop PC?
Laptop computers are slowly but surely taking the place of their desktop computer counterparts
in most homes. When a laptop gets to the point where it no longer seems to function quite as well
ie: taking ages to complete tasks which used to be a breeze, the question then comes to mind of
what to do about it.
Depending on attitudes, some people aim to get the most from what they already have whilst others
just give up and start again. I'll try to highlight the main (non-hardware) reasons behind the
computer's struggle to keep up with the users' needs and some of the remedies.
Common causes
Firstly, if you bought a computer, installed a program and used it without installing anything else
and ran the basic windows cleanup utilities it would probably always work the same through the years.
It's the variables which cause problems and can make many a decent laptop seem past it's best days.
As we all observe from using our computers connected to the Internet, programs are often updated to
either fix bugs or aid functionality. A program which worked well for years might become more
resource hungry after upgrades or updates. This can cause much frustration to the end user.
The accumulation of various software programs as well as Windows' own updates can compound the
problem. There are sometimes conflicts between different programs running on the same computer and
these conflicts can have the effect of slowing operations down as they vie for the same resources.
Some anti-virus programs can also have quite heavy impact on computer resources. this is something
which is often over-looked in the search for resource-hogging as most people's malware protection is
deemed untouchable. It's surprising how attached people can get to their virus protection software.
Another big issue with computers in modern times is the fact that hard disks can get filled up very
quickly. With nearly everyone sporting a camera on their phone, pictures and videos have become
easy to take and store. The problem here is that the older your computer (laptop or desktop) the
less likely that you've got adequate storage. Once your hard disk becomes more than 90% full, the
operating system starts to struggle for space to swap files and this can lead to corruption which
can only be repaired once some data is removed from the drive.
Viruses Malware Trojans etc.. can have much the same effect on a system, especially where Internet
use is concerned. I've seen many systems ground to a relative halt by infections which hinder many
of the vital system files of a computer.
The checklist before deciding on a course of action
1. Make sure the hard disk is not over 90% full
2. Run malware scans with more than one anti-virus.
3. Run the Windows disk defragmentation program
4. Run the computer in safe mode (press f8 key every second or so through initial boot for prompt)
The system should work quickly in safe mode with limited functionality if no hardware issues.
If you follow the above steps and the system runs fine in safe mode, your system is more than
likely just in need of a system service. This is where all the system resources / files are
verified, virus traces and temporary files removed and the disk, files and Windows registry optimized.
Hope you find this helpful.
Bill
A Star Universal computers.
What are the usual Laptop problems?
In terms of computer problems, Laptops suffer from similar types of problems to desktop computers. Laptops are more prone to problems due to their fragile nature. The most common repairs we carry out are...
Often with older laptops, an extensive repair is less cost effective than a replacement computer of better specification. When this is the case we will normally advise you of such and can also help to source a suitable replacement for you.
Whilst we don't sell Laptops, if you give us your usage requirements we can advise on a suitable Laptop for your needs. This service is free by e-mail for our customers.
Laptop computer repairs are subject to a diagnostic charge which starts at £20. If you have a laptop problem and need a diagnostic, we can carry out a diagnosis only.
Call 07975 558 927
Call us with details of your Laptop repair or upgrade needs and we'll be able to advise on likely costs ...It's that simple!
- Screen replacement
- DC Socket replacement
- Keyboard replacement
- Backlight replacement
- Inverter replacement
- Hard disk replacement
- Data retreival
- Virus and Trojan repair
- RAM upgrades
- Disk drive replacement
A Star Universal based in Kent UK. We're in Teynham just outside Sittingbourne on the A2. There's free parking for customers at our office.
If you live in Kent and are in need of our services, we're happy to discuss your needs. You can also send details via email or the 'contact us' form.