Common Mistakes With Fixing Your Own Computer

All computer owners eventually face a moment when their systems stop working as needed. For example, they suddenly can’t access the internet, programs run slowly or freeze, a virus wreaks havoc or merely their battery stops holding a charge. Many people who have little repair knowledge incorrectly believe that they can’t afford professional help and follow the amateur do-it-yourself advice of family, friends and even total strangers. Their repair attempts often lead them to wasting time running through complex solutions for basic fixes or damaging their systems to the point they have to then pay for expensive professional repairs or total hardware replacement.

If you don’t have computer repair experience or technical skills and you’re thinking about fixing our own computer, it’s time to reconsider. Many people who perform DIY repairs:

Forget Important Basic Checks

A lot of computer difficulties are simple errors or user mistakes. For example, some people who suddenly lose their Wi-Fi signal immediately believe that the problem is with bad Wi-Fi hardware or software. Yet, their hardware might also have a physical Wi-Fi switch that they accidentally slid into the “Off” position when walking around with their laptop. When a monitor screen goes black, some people immediately assume that the monitor has experienced a break down when in many cases the problem is that the monitor cable wiggled loose at the monitor or the PC. Before you assume the worst and attempt to repair your computer in complicated ways, always imagine that you’re dealing with a simple problem and try the most common basic solutions first.

Never Use Security Software

Unbelievable as it might sound, some people refuse to use security software to protect their computers. They often feel that these programs use up too many system resources or the software causes other programs to load slowly or freeze while running in the background. Typically, these problems can be fixed by simply increasing the RAM in the system. That said, another fear involves how some security programs act when loaded onto a PC. Some users believe that the programs act like viruses because they can’t remove an old one easily to replace it with a different version or brand. If you’re not running security software while you’re fixing your own computer, you could trigger real malware that damages your system or find yourself unable to complete repairs because a virus that security software could have caught and quarantined was the problem all along.

Begin Without Backing Up Their Data

Many computer owners also start repairs without backing up their important data. As a result, some of them lose everything, including passwords, financial records, important photographs, and other documents and images, forever. Worse yet, if the problem involves ransomware, criminals can hold the data that they haven’t backed up hostage until they pay an outrageous sum to get it back. It’s critical that you have offline and/or cloud backups for every piece of data that you value. You should also have backups of your operating system and all of the programs you’ve loaded on to your PC so that you can reload everything if necessary.

Fail to Protect Hardware Against Static

As with all electronics, computers can become damaged by sudden bursts of electricity, including state electricity from the human body. Many computer owners crack open their laptops and desktop towers to clean out the dust or replace parts without taking the necessary precautions to prevent static discharge. If you perform your own repairs and make this type of mistake, your entire system could become so badly damaged that you or a professional won’t be able to fix it. On the other hand, computer repair specialists have tools and work zones designed to reduce static discharge.

Use Amateur Online Repair Guides

Far too many people trust the advice of non-professionals found online through amateur blogs and videos and regret doing so later. These guides often fail to offer warnings about precautionary measures necessary to protect a computer and the health risks to humans and pets related to repairing hardware that contains toxic materials. The computer owner also might not have any skill in handling the tools needed to perform the repairs.

Although we encourage you to learn more about your computer’s hardware and software so that you can handle basic emergencies, we always recommend that you seek the aid of a professional for most repairs instead of fixing your own computer to prevent costly damage and wasted time. At Computer PRO Unltd., we offer in-shop, on-site and remote tech support services. For more information, answers to repair questions or to schedule a remote connection or appointment so that we can help you with your repair needs, contact our experienced team today.