Category: Tech Tip Archives - ComputerCare

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Maybe you’re in the market for a new computer, but don’t want to shell out the full ticket price for the latest model (an understandable wish after the fiasco of 2020. You don’t want to buy the two-year-old model your friend is tired of, but those recertified items you can buy online are starting to look pretty appealing. Apple, in particular, has its own certified refurbishment program, with devices around $200 less than new models.

Understandably, though, you’re not quite sure what are the pros and cons of a refurbished device. Since we actually refurbish computers for donation and resale, we figured we could walk you through some tips for your buying consideration.

What Goes into the Refurbishment Process?

Refurbished computers are usually devices that were returned too long after their order date and cannot be resold as new, defective new devices which have since been fixed and retested, or items with small cosmetic defects. Some are completely unused, while some have seen minor use and have undergone cleaning, diagnostics, OS reinstall, repairs, and tests to ensure that they are ready for resale.

Should I Buy a Refurbished Device?

As long as you buy from a reputable seller, refurbished devices can be a great way to get a reliable device at a greatly reduced price. Maybe you won’t get the latest generation of the processor, but as long as you don’t need the absolute peak of performance in your computing work, having the previous generation of processor probably won’t make any noticeable difference – except a positive one for your wallet.

Pros and Cons

But in case you want some more informations, here are some factors to consider:

• Pro: you can get a high-quality computer at a discount just because it’s no longer legally ‘new.’
• Con: you’ll never know the real reason why a refurbishment was necessary.
• Pro: most refurbished computers may have never been faulty or even used. A good number are simply returned after buyer’s remorse.
• Con: there’s usually going to be some unknowns about the computer’s history – for instance it may have been shipped and handled multiple times.
• Pro: the hardware in refurbished units will have been tested extensively, whereas ‘new’ counterparts are often straight from the factory with little testing.
• Con: there can be a level of risk in case something goes wrong and you didn’t choose a seller with a good warranty and return policy.
• Pro: it’s the green choice! Items are not dumped, but instead refurbished and re-sold.
• Con: the availability of refurbished computers depends on the market, so you may not get the exact device you want.

Takeaways

A refurbished device can be a great deal, but you have to do a little extra work to a) make sure the seller is reputable and offers good warranty and returns, and b) find the device you want. If you’re just needing a general workhorse at a great price, we strongly recommend choosing a refurbished computer. If you need something very specific, then new is always going to be the best choice.

Interested in getting your current computer refurbished so you can extend its longevity and maybe save you from all the above considerations? Send it in for one of our refresh packages!

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2020 has done nothing if not demonstrate to us how much we all depend on our various devices for work and human connection. Unfortunately, though, the volatile job market also means that maybe we can’t rush out to upgrade to the newest and shiniest computers whenever we want. Maybe you’ve got a trusty old workhorse that gets you through the day, but the one thing you need more of is space on your harddrive. Here’s some ideas for salvaging computer storage until you feel confident making that upgrade in a few months.

External Hard Drive

Maybe you’re worried about the security of the data you work with. In that case, a physical hard drive can be a good way to save space on your device. They can be readily encrypted with free software to make them extra secure, so that only the password-holder (theoretically, you) can access them.

Cloud Storage

If you’re like us and feel like always reaching for that external harddrive when you need to work sounds like a pain, there are lots of great cloud options available. OneDrive comes with the Microsoft Office Suite, so if you’ve got that, you’ve also got access to 5 GB of free cloud storage for all your files. Downside: all the Office products try to force you to save every file in OneDrive, which can quickly eat up your storage. However, if you don’t mind that, like the Office interface, and are willing to pay around $70 a year, you can also get access to 1 TB of storage.

Google Drive is a similar, but more widely available service, since you just have to have a Gmail account to access it, rather than an Office subscription. Also, since Google’s own document-creating software is fairly advanced at this point, if you’re mostly working in word-processing, spreadsheets, and slideshows, you may be able to use Google for all your document creation and storage needs, instead of switching between different suites of software. Up to 15 GB of storage space is free for private users, and 30 GB for Google Suite users, and it’s easy and generally cost-effective to upgrade for more space as needed. An additional perk of Google Drive are the two apps that allow you to access its files directly from your computer, instead of in your web browser. Back up and Sync allows you to store your files on your computer and on the web, while File Stream allows you to store them on the web but sync them to your computer as you need them.

iCloud is Apple’s version of Google Drive, and works very similarly in that it comes with its own document creation suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote). Its user interface is also identical to iOS, which is ideal for people already familiar with Apple products. However, free storage space is a bit limited at only 5 GB, with upgrades to 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB coming at different price points.

Of course, we can’t forget the cloud storage OG with Dropbox. Unfortunately, storage space for the free version is now very limited (2GB), but the paid version at around $10/month brings 1TB, plus file-editing capabilities, offline access, and automatic backup of photos and videos.

Free Your Device

As you can see, there are a multitude of options available to help you reclaim your computer’s storage. If you’re clever, you can even use multiple storage solutions for different file types to maximize your free options, or if convenience is what makes you happy, you can pay low monthly fees between $1 and $10, to put every file you own in the cloud – safe, secure, easy to access. That’s a lot better than shelling out a grand right now to get a bigger hard drive in a new computer!

And if you notice any bugs pop up once you’ve cleaned out your storage, don’t hesitate to contact us about our easy refresh service to restore your computer to that fresh-out-of-the-box look and performance.

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If you’re out there trying to do your best to support a healthy environment and are worried about the e-waste you’re generating as you go through phones and laptops over the years, you may be in need of some recycling tips. Obviously, phones are pretty easy, with all the trade-in and refurbishing options available, but computers can be a bit trickier, especially if you use them for work. Keep reading to discover the steps you need to take to safely and securely dispose of an old but still functional computer.

Wipe It Clean

The main concern with computers is how much personal information they can have stored on the hard drive. You may have worked hard to keep things secure while you used the device, but doing so after you give it away or sell it to someone else is a bit trickier. Here’s the basic rundown of what you need to do:

1. Deauthorize programs that you can only use on one device at a time, so that you can reauthorize them on other programs later. Uninstall programs that require paid subscriptions or may include your personal information.
2. Delete your browsing history – including cache, passwords, cookies, etc.
3. Delete all sensitive files. For extra security, on PCs with hard-drives, download a program like File Shredder to find any sneaky files and destroy them. For Apples and PCs with SSDs, encrypt the drive instead. This create a password that only you have access to, so that no future owners of your device can read any leftover files.
4. Now you’re ready to wipe. Macs, Chromebooks, and PCs all have slightly different procedures for this, but basically it involves erasing and reinstalling the operating system. For PCs, you may need to download a tool like Eraser to complete the process.

Actually Recycling Your Device

Once you’ve gotten your computer wiped, you have several options. You can make a tax-deductible donation of your still-working computer to local non-profit organizations, like schools and libraries.

You can also trade in your device at certain stores for either a discount on a new computer or store credit for the future. A wide-array of online businesses may also offer cash for old computers, but do check to make sure the recycler is an e-Steward or SERI-certified, meaning they do not ship devices to developing nations where underpaid laborers can extract the valuable components.

Sound like a Lot to Deal with?

We get it. That’s why we offer an easy Donate or Regift Refresh package to clients looking to recycle or donate their old computers. You can request this when you submit your ticket for just $90. We’ll save you the time and research needed to make sure you’re wiping your computer correctly, and give you the peace of mind that your data has been securely removed (especially important if your computer was used for business purposes!). Start a service ticket with us today to request this easy solution.

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Let’s imagine a scenario where you come down from a peaceful night’s sleep, make a cup of coffee, and head into your home office to get some work done. You punch your computer’s boot button, and…nothing happens. A terrifying prospect. Since we all rely on our computers to bring home the bacon (or beyond meat substitute of your choice), we wanted to go over some tips for data recovery in a pinch.

What’s the Source of the Problem?

The first concern is whether your hard drive is okay or not. Sad to say, if the computer won’t boot because the hard drive is corrupted, you might be out of luck. Our condolences. However, plenty of dead computers actually have an electrical problem, a failing power supply, a corrupted boot sector, or several other problems. In this case, your data is safe, just hard to access since you can’t turn on your darned computer.

There are some techniques for recovering your data that involve a bit of software expertise (plus a computer that actually powers on, which not all dying machines will do), but since we’re a hardware company we’ll focus on the hardware method. Don’t forget you’ll need a good external hard drive to which you can copy your files once you can access the hard drive and see if it’s still working.

The Process

Find yourself a screwdriver and a way of connecting the retrieved hard drive to another device. This connector may be a SATA to USB cable (check your computer’s specs, first, as you may need a different cable depending on the model), a docking station, or a hard drive enclosure – basically something that will allow the extracted hard drive to talk to another computer via USB. Please be aware that getting the right connector is quite important, so you’ll definitely need to do a bit of research on your device before you start the process, so that you can order the correct connector.

Once you have that connector in hand, though, it’s time to wield your screwdriver like a pro (at least, if you have a laptop it is. Desktops often slide apart for even easier access). We recommend googling the disassembly process for your model, as plenty of computers have disassembly instructions posted online. Once your laptop or tower is open, you can locate the hard drive and slide it out of its cage. (If it’s soldered in place, you’re again out of luck, but that’s where ComputerCare can help you out, so don’t despair.)

Connect your extracted hard drive to your second devices and see if you can find the drive folders in Finder/Explorer. If you can get in, congratulations! You just retrieved your data all by yourself.

Sound Intimidating?

We totally get it. Computer repair is not everyone’s cup of tea…but it is ours, so you’re in luck. If you don’t want to deal with these tricky issues of finding the right cable and then working through the whole problem just to meet with failure, open a service ticket with us. We are computer repair experts and can diagnose your computer and get it up and running in no time.

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During the work-from-home trend accelerated by the pandemic situation, having a working laptop or desktop computer has become all the more important. That’s why ComputerCare has prioritized multiple solutions for device repairs. At the same time, though, sometimes the best solution is not to have a problem in the first place. Here are some preventative care tips to help you keep your computer running at its best.

Keep It Clean

Besides the importance of sterilizing surfaces as protection against COVID-19, it’s also a good idea to remove dust regularly so as to prevent damage to the many moving parts inside a computer/keyboard. Compressed air is a good tool for keeping things working smoothly. If you’ve got time and feel confident in your skills, you can also (carefully) open your tower or laptop to clean out the dust from fans, heatsinks, and other places where collected dust can cause increased heat and therefore a shortened device lifespan. A soft microfiber cloth is also handy to keep around for cleaning screens without scratching them. 

Back It Up

Maybe you’re the sort of dutiful employee who is always busy with other tasks and forgets to have a system in place for backing up files. If you’re working from home, though, having all files and information safely duplicated can be a lifesaver in case something does go wrong with your device. A cloud storage solution usually means you can at least access your documents on your phone, which can be a good way to tide you over if you have an unexpected computer crash.

Organize the Wires

Out of sight, out of mind is the usual state of the many wires that seem to erupt from the back of desktop computers. With a bit of extra time on your hand while you’re working from home, consider using zip-ties or other fasteners to keep everything in place. That way, there’s no danger of getting a foot tangled in a wire and accidentally pulling out an important cord in the middle of a crucial job. 

Give It an Upgrade

Hardware drivers need updates too. If you have downtime while waiting for a remote meeting, check your device drivers to see if any of them have newer versions that can be downloaded and installed.

Now that we’ve realized how dependent most of us are on our devices for our livelihoods, it only makes sense to take time to give them some TLC. Use the tips above to get started, but if something crazy happens, have no fear. ComputerCare can help you out with contact-free repair options that safeguard both your and your device’s safety and security. 

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Last month we talked about caring for your Apple products, so as to keep them from becoming viral hotbeds. This month we want to make sure to cover the procedure for those of us who use hardware from other companies, especially including Toshiba, HP, Asus, and Lenovo, as they have authorized us here at ComputerCare to help customers with their devices. Doubtless after weeks of working from home, too, our laptops are all a bit dirtier than they used to be. Let’s talk about getting them clean.

First Step: Don’t Cause Damage in the Name of Cleanliness

Even though hygiene is important, we also have to draw a line when cleaning and disinfecting a laptop. Windex or Lysol might seem powerful, but they’re actually overkill and can damage the display or finish on your laptop, especially if an oleophobic coating is involved.

What You Can Use

Isopropyl alcohol is probably your best bet. It is less harsh, even though it still has people divided (and who knows when we will be able to get it again, anyway, given how many people hoarded it two months ago!). A best practice to make sure to safeguard your device is to make a solution of half 70% alcohol and half water (preferably distilled to prevent stains) and then use a microfiber cloth to apply that – very gently!

Never spray any cleaning solutions directly onto your laptop. By applying with a microfiber cloth, you avoid the danger of having excess liquid run through cracks into the internal hardware and wiring. Start with the keyboard, since it’s usually the dirtiest, and then move on from there so that you don’t spread grime from your keyboard onto already clean surfaces. Compressed air will also help you clean the connectors, ports, and other openings. Even if coronavirus is hiding inside, no one’s putting their face against their computer’s ports, so it’s probably safe!

Final Tip

Before doing any of the above procedures, be sure to power off your laptop and unplug its AC adapter. As always, when working with electronics and liquids in any form, it’s best to avoid the risk of electrocution to yourself or the device.

Questions or concerns? Not sure your device is having problems because it’s dirty or because it’s hardware is faulty? Contact us today. We have easy, COVID-safe procedures that allow you to drop off and pick up repaired devices with confidence, so you can send your laptop our way for both repairs and a complete sanitation!

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It’s always a major shock these days if you press your computer’s power button and…nothing happens. Since one of the most common at-home solutions to computer problems is to restart the computer, if you can’t even get it on in the first place, there seems to be little hope of recovery! However, it’s not always a totally lost cause, and even when the computer won’t turn on, a reputable computer repair service like ours can usually still intervene to save the day. Before you bring your device to us, though, here are a few things to investigate.

Power Supply

If your computer or laptop won’t turn on, the problem could always be as simple as a loose plug in an electrical socket or a drained battery. Always check your cord to make sure it’s seated correctly, both in the wall and in your devices power receiver, and if you have a battery-powered device, to give it a little time to charge before trying to turn it on again. If a desktop if plugged in correctly, also check the power-supply switch on the back of the tower to make sure it’s flipped to ‘on.’ If none of these fix the problem and you happen to know you’ve been doing work inside your laptop or computer tower case, it may also be worth checking your internal power cable to make sure it is correctly connected. However, if none of these tricks solve the problem, very likely there is a serious issue with the power supply itself, in which case it’s time to talk to us about a repair. 

Disk Error

If you can power on the computer but only get an error message about the bootable device, then the problem is a bit more complicated. Either your computer is failing to boot from the harddrive where your operating system is installed, or that harddrive has failed entirely and needs to be replaced. If you are comfortable with accessing the BIOS or Open Firmware of your device to look at the boot order, you can check these problems yourself. On the other hand, if that kind of trouble-shooting feels a bit beyond your paygrade, feel free to contact us for a diagnosis. 

Crash during Boot 

This problem could be caused by either your software or your hardware. We recommend rebooting in Recovery for Macs or running Startup Repair for Windows. This should accurately diagnose any software issues, but if the recovery and repair process fails, then quite likely the problem is rooted in your hardware and you will need expert help like ours to address the difficulty. 

Of course, if you don’t want to deal with any of this, because life is busy or computers are intimidating, we will be happy to help you with any of these concerns for our low diagnostic fee of $49. If a problem does emerge, we waive that fee if you decide to use our services for repairs, so the whole process can be painless and inexpensive for you. Don’t forget to contact us next time your computer won’t boot, as we can always help.