The availability and mass use of smartphones and tablets have become so prevalent in the last decade; it’s easy to forget about keeping your family computer running correctly. And while smart devices give you instant internet access and multi-tasking capabilities, you should remember that nothing beats the comfort and utility of a computer.
A computer is the best option when you are doing tasks like typing, website building, photo editing, and programming. If your computer isn’t running properly, then you won’t be able to do most of these tasks. Plus, if your smart devices stop working, your computer will be the only other dependable machine with an internet connection. So, it is vital that you know when it is time to call in a repair service to fix your family’s computer.
How to Check Your Computer
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Checking whether your computer is working efficiently is quite easy. If you’re using either a Windows or Mac (two of the most commonly used OS), you can check computer performance through the Windows Task Manager (Windows) or Apple Diagnostics (Mac). You can gauge the performance against how many applications are running and the CPU (Processor), Memory (RAM), and Disk (Hard Disk) usage.
Computer slowdowns can occur for two reasons, either a hardware or software problem. Usually, if multiple apps are running at the same time, then computers tend to slow down due to registry errors, disk fragmentation, temporary files taking up the cache, malware attacks, etc. Software issues can be quickly resolved by defragging the computer and deleting unnecessary files.
However, in case of hardware issues, even running the minimum number of apps will lead to slow performance like delayed clicks or slow folder opening time. First, you need to try out the software related solutions. If they don’t work, then you possibly have a hardware issue, at which point you need to contact a repair service for advanced troubleshooting.
Signs Your Computer Needs to Be Fixed
1. Virus on Computer
The most common reason for your computer to slow down is a virus. Computer viruses are malicious software that can cause a variety of problems starting from slowing down your computer, stealing your personal and professional data as well as tracking your internet usage. A virus can affect both software and hardware by increasing power consumption rates and processing memory, which is why you need to install antivirus software from the very beginning.
Common indications that your computer has been affected by a virus include slow bootup, programs crashing, programs freezing, and applications running slowly. If a virus’s directive is to steal data, then you’ll see a significant spike in network usage. Computer viruses often get access to your computer through third-party software, spam emails with attachments, or infected memory drives.
2. Hard Drive is Corrupted or Failing
A computer’s hard drive is akin to its brain- it’s where the operating system is installed, and applications and other data are stored. As a result, they don’t wear and tear easily, but when they do, there are clear signs that something is wrong. You will notice slow bootup speed, an increase in response time when opening folders and web browsers, and bad sectors when running disk defragmentation.
Hard disk corruption and failure usually happen due to extensive use or due to voltage fluctuations caused by power outages or computer crashes.
3. Too Many Programs Running at Startup
A common problem that is, unfortunately, often ignored by the most dedicated users is having too many programs running at the same time. Unless your computer is set up with the latest hardware, chances are you are running too many applications at the startup.
Standard apps like Steam, Discord, Skype, Dropbox, etc. eat up a lot of memory and quickly bog down your RAM before you even realize. If that’s the case, you can quickly solve the problem by stopping some of these startup app launches that you don’t use frequently.
Should You Try at Home Repair?
Try to keep home repairs limited to basic diagnostics and solutions like the ones mentioned above. Standard options include anti-virus scans, registry cleanup, stopping unnecessary apps at launch, and deleting temporary files from the cache. If these solutions don’t work, you may or may not try advanced troubleshooting depending on your experience.
Is It Time to Call a Computer Repair Service?
Usually, if the basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, then you should look for professional help. Advanced troubleshooting can be related to both hardware and software, which only professionals can understand. A professional technician can run a thorough hardware and software diagnostic to identify the problem accurately. You can either take your CPU to a reputed outlet or call a home computer repair service.
Fix Your Computer and Keep the Family Happy
To this day, a computer is the best heavy-duty multi-tasking device that most smart devices don’t measure up to. If you take care of it to ensure peak performance, then you can ensure your family computer is working for everyone to use.