Issue 20.10
When you take your car in for a tune-up,you expect it to come back running smoothly,getting a little better gas mileage,air in the tires and all the fluids replaced or topped off. You would also expect the mechanic to advise you if there are any danger signs or parts that are worn or not working correctly. If you take your car to someone you know and trust,you can be fairly sure that the work will be done right,the recommendations for upgrades or replacements are worthwhile,and most importantly,the service people haven’t done something to purposely create problems for you so you will have to fix more stuff and pay more money.
It is much the same with computers. If they are running slow or locking up frequently or if the screen,mouse or keyboard are not working smoothly,the computer may need a tune-up. Many people and businesses have their computers serviced once a year to avoid problems (preventive maintenance).
A good tech will check to make sure you are adequately protected from viruses and spyware. He will also check to see if you have programs that conflict with each other (creating problems in your protection),if there are programs running automatically on your computer that are unnecessary or even malicious,or if you have added a lot of freeware or shareware programs that may be slowing your system down. It is helpful if you can be available to visit with the tech while he is deciding what optional programs he can safely deactivate or delete.
Additionally,the tech should check all the fans,drives,switches and any other moving parts to be sure they have not failed or are showing signs of failure such as noise or slow starting. He can advise you if your system is optimally configured as far as the speed of the processor and the amount and speed of the memory. He should also let you know if you are short on storage space (hard drive capacity). All of these things can seriously impair your computer’s ability to run quickly and smoothly.
I am sorry to say that I am aware of a number of computer service people that create problems on purpose to drive up repair and upgrade costs. I have had equipment brought to me that was working when given to a service company and came back with wires cut or parts missing. Thankfully this is rare,but it illustrates the importance of checking out anyone you allow to work on your equipment. Make sure they are experienced and their customers are happy. A long,positive track record is more important than price.
I have seen some companies or individuals offer free or cheap check-ups,but when you get the estimate for repairs,you could almost buy a new computer. Most reputable technicians will charge $25-$50 for an evaluation and $40-$60 per hour for tune-ups. If your system has failed,it is much like a car crash: you can’t expect it to be fixed for nothing,but an inexpensive evaluation is worth the price and an honest tech will give you at least a couple of options. Often,even if the computer is not worth saving,you can retrieve your information from the hard drive to load into a new computer.
Remember,be safe – and always have a backup of anything important.
Shaun McCausland has been in the computer industry for 28 years (locally with Musicomp &Bits ‘N’ Bytes) and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation,service,training and repair. If you have questions,you can reach him at 668-7118.
