Do you have the “I want it because it’s new” disease?
Almost every tech company comes out with a new iteration of every product every year. The new and shiny features of a laptop or tablet often seem essential to keep up in today’s world, but this isn’t always true.
Last year’s computer hasn’t been working as fast as it once did, and you’d prefer something with a little more processing power. It’s understandable that you would want to buy a new computer, but what’s the problem with the computer you just bought? You might be dealing with a problem that you could easily fix, sparing yourself the cost of buying a new computer.
We’ve compiled a list of the most common computer problems that you may be able to fix on your own.
The 5 Most Common Computer Problems
Understanding these issues may help you save thousands of dollars over the years. Companies create products to experience small issues like the ones listed below around the time that new products come out in an effort to sell more, and it works.
The trick to getting out of the buying cycle is to learn how to make repairs when you can. Most of these computer issues are ones that you can fix, in large part, by yourself. It’s essential that you understand the causes of computer issues in order to start fixing them.
1. Slow Processing Speed
Everybody knows the pain of a slow computer. But what’s really making it slow? Your best bet is to look at all programs on your computer and see which ones are using up the most resources.
Run a system check. This will allow you to identify any programs that aren’t being used but are still taking up your computer’s brain power. Delete the ones that you don’t need right now– you can always download them again later.
2. Strange Sounds
Your computer is running fine but the inside of it sounds like a tire factory in war-time. What’s going on in there?
In most cases, the noise coming from your computer is your cooling fan. The cooling fan may need to be replaced, and you can usually remove and replace with a small screwdriver.
3. Freezing Issues
Your computer could have a number of issues if it’s freezing frequently. The problem might be a result of low memory, malware, or corrupt files. The memory issue can be examined by running another system check.
If it isn’t memory, have your security software run a check for any corrupt files or spyware. If nothing comes up, you may need to take it to a professional.
4. Trouble With the Internet
Just like freezing issues, internet troubles can come from multiple sources. The first thing you should do is reboot your router or modem. Sometimes computers have difficulty registering an IP address, and this is typically sorted out with a reboot.
If that doesn’t work, consider using a different browser. The browser could very well be the issue, especially if you have a large search history and cache of cookies stored on the system. Try deleting all of your history and cleaning out your cookies.
5. Blue Screen of Death
The blue screen of death is something that comes up with a lot of computer users. You need to reboot the computer in some cases, and that will take care of the issue.
In other cases, you will need to bring the computer into a professional because the issue might lie in the software of your machine.
Weigh the Costs of Repairing
While it’s usually better to fix your old computer before you buy a new one, sometimes it just isn’t worth it. Repairs can get expensive and time-consuming, occurring more frequently as time goes on.
The most common computer problems are typically ones that can be fixed for cheap, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and buy a new product.
