Steps to Fix a Wet Laptop

Spilling a liquid on a computer or similar electronic device is quite a serious problem. But, depending on how fast you act, and how you react, you have the potential to minimize moisture related damage. If a laptop gets wet it is imperative that the computer's internal components are left to dry before attempting to re-start the machine and accessing the full extent of the damage. Provided the right steps are followed it might well be possible to salvage a water-logged laptop. Success of recovery often comes down to your ability to adequately dry-out the soaked internal components.

Here is a simple guide to fix a laptop if you spilt a liquid on it -
Firstly, unplug the laptop from its power source. Soak up any visible signs of water on the laptops surface as soon as possible, using an absorbent cloth or anything really that is close to hand. If the laptop was powered-on when the accident happened, make sure to shut-it down as quick as possible, which can be done by holding down the power button for ten seconds or so. Don't bother with closing down the individual programs; just get the machine switched off as soon as possible.
With the laptop shut down, turn the laptop over and remover the main battery pack from its housing. To do this, there is usually a latch next to the battery cover, just slide that and the batty pack should easy lift out. Removing the laptops internal power source is essential to avoid accidental start-ups and makes certain no power is able to get to the motherboard.
Now be patient and leave the laptop open and upside down. Enough time should be left for the components to completely dry out, which can take a while. Many electronic gadgets are able to start working again perfectly well, even after getting a soaking, provided it is given the time to dry out.

If you want to play really safe, you can of course take the laptop along to your local computer repair shop and have them take a look at it for you. Once the laptop is in the hands of a qualified repair tech, the chances of a full recovered are further increased.

Important note, wait for the internal components to be completely bone dry before making any attempt to power the laptop back on after a soaking. A lot of people panic, and attempt to start the laptop before it is had enough time to dry out, just to see if it still works, this is one of the worst things that can be done, and only has the potential to cause further harm. Just be patient, and leave the laptop the time it needs before attempting to power it on for the first time.

Where To Get PC Repair Help In A Hurry

If you're working at home, you're probably using your computer for any number of things both for business and personal. And at some point you're probably going to need some PC repair.
And if you're the type of person who really doesn't know a whole lot about your computer besides moving the mouse or hitting a few keys on the keyboard, you may not even think about a computer actually needing any kind of repair at all.

But no matter how well you maintain your computer system by having the right kind of antivirus software installed, cleaning out old files and even blowing dust out of the computer once in a while, everyone encounters some type of problems at one time or another.

In my case, I was having a technical problem in the audio system that had me all kinds of puzzled for a few days trying it figure it out. I had been using a headset and separate microphone that plugged into their respective jacks in the front of the computer.

Knowing I needed to upgrade to a headset with its own boom mike, I opted for a headset with a USB connection. It was really nice as a headset but I when I tried to record with a couple of my programs using the microphone, my voice wasn't being recognized.

I tried for days trying to figure it out. I finally went out on Google and did some searching and found out that the USB connection was overriding my sound card, or something to that effect, and so that particular headset was not going to work.

Fortunately that particular headset came with the split jack option connection. Once I disconnected the USB headset and plugged the new headset into the mike and headset jacks, I was all set - problem solved.

Even something so simple as the wrong type of connection into your computer can cause a conflict so it's always good to be a little more knowledgeable about your computer system beyond the keyboard and monitor.

And even more so, you need to know where to get the PC repair help you need. Sometimes it's not even the computer that needs repaired, but the peripherals that need to be changed out.
The first thing you can do when you need some computer repair help is to look in the Help files of your own computer. Windows users can find help files for specific programs you're running. Go to the Troubleshooting section of the different files and see if the problem you're having is listed there along with some possible solutions.

If you're not having much luck with those files, head on over to YouTube and type your problem or question in the search box. It's amazing the things that you can learn on YouTube about computers. If you're having some technical problems with Internet crashes or connection or communication problems, you can find a lot of IT support videos on YouTube also.
For specific product-based problems, jump on Google, Yahoo or Bing, or whatever your favorite search engine is, and go right to the product website and check their frequently asked questions page. Some products even have forums where you can browse for specific trouble-shooting areas and get some answers.

If you haven't had any luck with any of these resources, you can do a search for some business services that actually specialize in computer repair. Give a couple of them a call and see if maybe they can help you at least detect the problem you're having.

Sometimes the problem might be something as simple as a conflict between two software programs. Or like in my case, a conflicting peripheral plug-in.
Yes, even us old hat experienced people run into computer technical problems that can make you scratch your head. But knowing where to get the PC repair help you need is often most of the battle right there.

In-Home Laptop Repair Services

Often in the lifetime of a laptop a repair might well be required, which can range from virus or spyware problems, hardware installations, screen replacements or hard drive or motherboard malfunctions. In most cases, the average computer user isn't that clued up on the inner workers of the machine and won't know how to go about solving a potential problem. So, what they normally do is to call on the services of a quality computer repair technician.

It is possible to choose from a wide-range of local computer repair shops, which offer extensive diagnostic and repair services, but quite a few others now prefer to take advantage of the in-house services wherein a qualified engineer will turn up at a person's home and carry out the repairs there and then.

Choosing the right computer repair technician is essential to ensure a job is carried out to a high-standard. Here are some of the steps to follow to find the ideal in-house computer repair service provider -
Reputation - high on the list of things to expect in an in-house laptop repair company is having a great reputation in both the industry and local community. Searching the name of a company online is a quick and easy way to read reviews and ratings from previous customers. If those are mostly positive in nature, then that is a great sign of finding a reputable company.

It is important that a company provides a fast, reliable, and friendly service, at a very competitive rate. A technician needs to be understandable and straightforward in the way a particular computer problem is explained, which is often determinable after speaking to several different companies over the phone.

Services - the ability to offer a wide-range of services and to boast an extensive knowledge of all things computer related is also essential. It helps to find a technician where repairs on either software or hardware related matters comes naturally to them. If they have these skills then a repair is most likely going to be carried out to a high-standard.

Rates - a significant deciding factor on calling out a repair service is the potential cost. Feel free to compare several companies and comparison shop to get an ideal of what each repair service charges. Also it is worthwhile to ask about charges in relation to how the rates are calculators, which could either be per hour or a fix rate charge for the entire job.

See more information on a wide-range of Laptop Repair services, such as hardware upgrades and repairs, broadband installations, data recovery, and much more.

Common Reasons for Laptop Repair

A laptop shouldn't be seen as indestructible, there is a wide-range of things that could go wrong in everyday use, from bumps and knocks, software problems to hardware failures. With a laptop often mobile anything could happen and it can be quite frustrating if problems are experienced. Understanding potential laptop faults can make it easier to self-diagnose problems and from there determine the right course of action to have the problem remedied. Here are some of the most seen problems in which a laptop might need to be repaired -

Bumps & Knocks - Laptops are built with portability in mind, and due to the constant commuting back and forth, these machines can endure quite a bit of abuse. A significant bump can easily cause a laptop to fail. Impact damage has the potential to damage the outer-shell or case and more importantly cause the hard drive to malfunction. For the case, a few good knocks could soon leave the casing cracked, warped or dented. And, in regards to the internal components, a sudden jolt could course damage to the hard drive or motherboard, which has the potential to make the computer unusable.

Overheating - Quite a common problem with laptops is overheating which typically comes from a fan not working effectively enough. If the fan is blocked, which can happen if the laptop is placed on a soft surface or clogged up with dust, than this could soon cause the laptop to overheat. If the fan isn't able to work as intended, the internal components, such as the CPU and hard drive are likely to overheat, which will cause the laptop to automatically shut down - this is a built-in, self-protection measure to avoid long-term damage.

Battery Life - If the battery isn't able to charge then it is likely to be a problem with the external battery pack or a faulty power jack. The power jack, which is the socket at the side or back of the laptop which accepts the plug for the AC adapter, is quite prone to damage due to the regularity of its use. If the AC adapter is frequently plugged in and pulled out, the jack might come loose from its mounting on the motherboard, which can course charging related problems.

Software - Beyond the wide-range of hardware related problems, software can also be an issue, with the laptop running slow or acting up in a weird way. Common issues include those related to viruses, bad drives or simply incompatible software programs. It helps to keep the basic system software up-to-date, while also conducting regular virus checks.

See more information on a wide-range of PC and Laptop Repairs, from computer and technology issues to media systems and home network problems. PC and Mac Repairs are all covered with a fast and friendly service.

Connect a Second Monitor to Your Computer

efore we discuss the how we begin with a brief discussion of the why.
Firstly, multiple monitors are quite useful aids when it comes to multitasking. They can increase productivity by allowing for more information to be available in front of the operator at the one time. Further, they can reduce the time spent searching through windows, tabs, files and folders and can free up brain power that would otherwise be spent remembering the location of things.
Clearly, the existence (and level) of benefit, is dependent on the tasks a person performs on his or her computer. For a person using their computer to pay their bills online and play the odd game of Solitaire, there really is no need to consume the extra kilowatts of an additional screen. If for example, you are a graphic designer, a stock market analyst or simply someone who requires a lot of programs or files to be open at the one time, then the arguments for setting up additional monitors are, in the author's opinion, persuasive.

This is a notion that more and more businesses are accepting by providing workstations with two or more monitors for their staff. This fact has no doubt been aided by the increase in the affordability of computer displays over the past few years.

With regards to the how, in most cases, connecting a second monitor is quite simple. Modern PCs will generally offer two suitable ports, oftentimes a VGA and a DVI. Connecting one monitor to one port and the other monitor to the other port is typically enough for an operating system (such as Windows 7 or Apple's Snow Leopard) to recognize both. However, sometimes a level of tweaking through the operating system is required. For Windows 7, this can be achieved through Change Screen Resolution, which can be found under the Control Panel. For Snow Leopard, System Preferences - Displays. It is within this folder that you can setup one monitor as the primary, adjust the resolution as well as refresh rate.

If your PC does not support two monitors, you may need to upgrade your video card, add an additional video card or consider the use of a splitter or adaptor. When dealing with splitters and adaptors, you should remain mindful of the fact that certain configurations can result in mere duplication of the images on both monitors, as opposed to doubling your independently workable viewing space.

4 Reasons Why Organizations should embrace Desktop as a Service

Desktop as a Service (DaaS) is the provisioning of remote hosted virtual desktops (HVDs) using a remote server to host personal computer desktops simultaneously. The days of IT professionals marching from computer to computer performing the same tasks on multiple PCs are thankfully over. With desktop as a service, after a major upgrade is integrated, there is no need to perform any tasks at an employee level-in-house or remote. Their machines are effectively the same, all of which are accessing data and applications through the cloud service provider without storing anything locally.

Taking a look at the benefits of desktop as a service, there are a few key points to explore.
Cost effectiveness:
- One of the key benefits of HVDs, compared to traditional workstations, is that DaaS can dramatically reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO). According to an IDC white paper, desktop as a service can reduce hardware 'Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)' by 56% annually and also reduce the 'Operating Expenditure (OPEX)' annually.
- On average, a virtual desktop costs 2 times less than a traditional PC due to its longer life, absence of a local hard disk, and reduced power consumption.
- Windows 7 upgrade and migrations are forcing organizations to look into expensive upgrades of both the server, desktop and laptop estate. HVD on the other hand, enables companies to reuse their existing hardware and extend the life of the investment they have already made.

Better security and compliance:
- The problem with personal computers in a business environment is that they can be hacked, lost or stolen. Virtual desktops address this issue quite simply. If there is no sensitive information stored on any hard drive, or if there is no hard drive at all, as is the case with most thin client hardware, there is nothing to steal.
- While traditional PCs face the threat of users downloading malicious files and infecting the corporate LAN, the cloud desktop cannot function as a zombie host and it is quite difficult for viruses to infiltrate through remote displays. Therefore, rendering a virtual desktop carries a low risk in terms of security.
- Organizations with virtual desktops can centralize updates at the remote location; continuous data backup and synchronization means compliance is now an easier task.

Mobility:
- Ever tried to work from home but forgot your USB stick containing all your recent work documents at the office? Now think about hibernating your virtual desktop at the office and resuming that same virtual desktop at home with all your windows still opened. Moreover, desktop as a service keeps remote workers connected.
- With a virtual desktop, you can access your complete personal PC desktop experience from anywhere, using any device, including iPads, Macbooks, tablets and other mobile devices, as well as your existing desktops, laptops and thin clients. You can access both Microsoft Windows and Linux-based operating systems on your device.

Flexibility:
- Virtual desktops are implemented and scaled quickly. Deployment of new software, applications, and updates takes minutes instead of days.
- Virtual desktop service can remove application compatibility issues with all applications running on all systems.
- Desktop scalability without additional CAPEX.
Moreover, 'Desktop as a Service' (DaaS) provides companies with a ready-made disaster recovery (DR) strategy to get their desktops up and running quickly after any disaster. Thus, with an HVD, you are not only reducing the costs of managing IT, but you are expanding the reach of your organization by making your employees more mobile and responsive.

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Techniques

Having patience is very important when troubleshooting computer problems. Becoming frustrated or not taking notes can extend the troubleshooting process significantly. Always take careful note of things that may have changed. Did you install a new piece of hardware or software? Was there a bad thunderstorm or a power outage? All of these things may be part of the underlying problem so take careful notes. Before you click "OK" or restart your computer, be sure to write down any error messages. Take careful note of what programs you were running at the time. If the message is in a windows box, sometimes clicking Details can provide additional information.
One of the most basic troubleshooting techniques is to perform a cold restart of the system. Shut down windows completely until the PC is completely turned off. Wait for 10 seconds or so and then power the PC back on. If there is a printer, external hard drive or other peripherals attached to your computer, it is recommended that you power these devices down at the same time that you shut down the computer. In most cases you will want to power up these devices again before you turn your computer back on.

Is there a specific action that you perform such as starting a program, accessing a specific function or using a peripheral that causes the issue to repeat itself? Taking careful note of this can be invaluable in troubleshooting issues. As you use the process of elimination to track down the issue, check to see that the issue still exists each step of the way. If the problem is predictable and repeatable it will make troubleshooting much easier. Random problems are very difficult to troubleshoot. Pay close attention to user actions and usage patterns in troubleshooting issues. The most important question is what changed prior to the problem manifesting itself.

If your computer does not turn on you probably have an issue with your power supply. Check the outlet that your computer is plugged into by plugging a different device into the same outlet. If it is on a power strip, make sure any errors have been reset. There is typically a switch or button to reset a power strip from a power condition. If the outlet tests out OK and you don't hear anything spinning inside your computer when you turn it on, your power supply has probably gone bad. This component can be replaced by a qualified technician.

When you start your computer it will perform a power on self test (POST). If there are any obvious hardware issues, an error code will be displayed and a beeping sound may come from the system speaker. The error codes and number/length of beeps will vary depending on the specific issue. For instance a memory related issue will often display a 201: Memory Error. Any issues related to memory will start with a 2 in the error code. When you computer emits a series of beeps when starting up, that indicates a hardware issue. The system BIOS is capable of identifying hardware problems and issuing the error sound. The pattern and length of beeps will vary by BIOS manufacturer and hardware component. For instance an Award BIOS code for a video card issue would be one long beep followed immediately by two short beeps.

Always be sure to have a backup solution in place to protect your important documents and file. The best solution is to have a backup in place that is completely automatic and one in which the data is stored in a separate secure location in case of fire or natural disaster.
If your computer goes to a "blue screen" (often referred to as a BSOD or blue screen of death) be sure to write down the specific error code message such as prog.exe has caused an invalid page fault in module xw32.dll at 0147:ffccddee. Having this information will be helpful to your technician. If your computer restarts itself or displays a blue screen when playing a game, doing video processing or other CPU intensive tasks, you might have an issue with heat. Make sure that the computer is located in a cool room, there is not a build up of dust on the heat sink of the processor and all of the fans are working properly. Use compressed air to remove dust from fans and heat sinks to eliminate heat problems. Make sure that the dust is removed and not simply blown deeper into the heat sink. A layer of dust can cause great havoc to the cooling systems of a modern computer.
When troubleshooting hardware it is important to swap out one piece of hardware at a time. For instance changing out one memory module. Check to see if the error condition still exists. If it still occurs put the original component back in place and swap out another. If the problem is resolved, chances are you have identified the faulty component. Troubleshooting is a careful process of elimination. Swapping out hardware components, ruling out an infrastructure component or piece of software one at a time. Make sure that each time you are making a hardware or software change you are only making a single change. If something does not fix the problem always reverse the change.

When troubleshooting a network connectivity issue, it is important to try connecting to different types of resources when identifying the problem. For instance, if you are not able to connect to the Internet, try pinging a local computer or printer. Make sure that pings are not being blocked by a software firewall. If you are able to access local resources, you know the network interface, cable and switch is good. The problem exists in the router, modem or on the Internet.
We hope that this article has provided some basic guidance when it comes to basic computer troubleshooting and repair.