Quick Laptop Repair: Spilled Liquids

Most of us have, at one time or another, have spilled a drink on our laptop. Rather than thinking the computer is completely ruined, a little bit of quick laptop repair might save the machine before permanent water damage is done. Following these three steps can help get your laptop back up and running without having to visit a computer repair shop.

1 - Turn off the computer.
Liquids may short-circuit many parts of a working computer. Shutting power off right away minimizes that danger. Removing external hardware is also a good idea for this reason. If you've spilled liquid on your laptop, remove the power cord and battery immediately!

2 - Blot the wet area with a dry cloth.
The first impulse may be to tilt the laptop, but that might cause liquid to spread. Take a dry cloth and blot as much liquid as possible. Next, if desired, open the laptop and blot the inside as well. Make sure to take proper precautions before attempting that kind of laptop repair. Don't go in over your head. If the task of opening up a laptop seems daunting, you're better off to seeking a professional then potentially causing even more damage yourself.

3 - Air Dry 24-48 hours
Some recommend a hair dryer on low heat, but it is possible to melt the laptop surface and/or overheat metal components. This would result in yet more laptop repair to be done. The best thing to do is to just leave the laptop alone for 24-48 hours before turning it on again. The longer the laptop is allowed to dry, the better the chance that it may function normally.

Depending on how much liquid has been spilled, you may be able to do your own laptop repair and save your machine from permanent water damage. These three steps can help you do just that.

If the above three steps don't fix the problem, seek a professional. Repairs might not be as expensive as you may think. If cost is a concern, look for a computer technician on Kijiji or Cragislist instead of calling the big name stores. Fixing a laptop that has suffered damage from spilled liquids often requires replacing of components. If the cost of repairs end up being too high, always remember that you can simply recover the data for much less. Removing the old hard drive and mounting it in an external hard drive enclosure means you'll have access to all of your important files and a brand new external hard drive. Best of all, this service is often very quick and inexpensive.

Tag : computer,laptop,repair,spilled liquids

On Buying Cheap Computers

If my computing needs are modest and my budget is tight what do I do? Is it possible for me to find a choice from among cheap computers that will enable me to browse, email, do photo editing and spreadsheet tracking? Well, the answer is a big yes. The great news is, today you can get used and refurbished computers in good working condition at great bargain prices. There is no need for you to spend a fortune by buying a new one from among the highly hyped top of the line brands if a refurbished machine does the job good enough for you. But before you hop in to buy the first cheap computer that comes to your notice, take note of the following important pointers.

Evaluate the Processor

A processor is the heart of a computer. So when you are assessing cheap computers look for Dual-core processors, specifically the AMD Athlon X2 or Intel Pentium Dual Core Models. Though single core processors can throw up dirt cheap models, Dual-core types will stand you in good stead for multi-tasking jobs.

Get to know the operating system in the refurbished computer. The operating system also referred to as O/S, is the master brain of a computer that controls the hardware, controls the software and provides you with the means to control the computer.

Select a RAM of at least 2GB capacity. A lesser one will slow down your system considerably.

Assess Hard Disk Storage

Good news is you can get cheap computers at bargain prices having storage capacity of 250-400 GB. Anything less than that will be inadequate for tasks such as downloading photos, listening to music, and watching videos. Do not forget to look for a computer having the DVD burning feature.

Weigh In the Peripherals

You may need a monitor, a key board and a mouse unless you have all these from your previous set. You may get a budget set with all these items at bargain prices. Even if you do not, hardware accessories are always available at very reasonable prices, so keep a tag to budget for these items.

Choose the Right Software

When you are zeroing your choice from among the cheap computers, select the software applications you need carefully. Software applications are the basic guides of your computer. Ensure the software versions you buy are compliant with the operating system installed with the refurbished computer.

The computers market will usually display the following three ranges of computer systems.

* Standard computer

* Mid-range computer

* High-end computer

Cheap computers generally fall into the standard category. Yet, entrepreneurs for their business needs can spot refurbished mid-range and high end computers by bargain hunting. Create your own specification suited to your needs and then shop around a bit. Do not forget to look for the following.

* Money-Back Guarantee: Understand the return policy of your cheap computers seller because you may change your mind any time after you buy an item.

* Warranty: Do not buy one unless it has a warranty for the components and labor.

Discontinued Models

Manufacturers often have brand new laptop computers that did not sell. These are referred to as discontinued models. If you are not a stickler for latest brands, getting an inexpensive discontinued model is not a bad idea at all.

Whichever way, the cheap computers market is flooded with umpteen models and brands. You can be sure there is one for your needs.

Tag : computer,cheap computer,buying