Why is my Computer so Slow?
If you are reading this on what used to be a fast computer, but now it has the speed of a Commodore PET (remember those? I do.) then this article could be for you….
In this article I’m going to take about Removing Toolbars, Using CCleaner, Removing items from the systray and using Malwarebytes. While this is really simple for soem users, one can easily make the computer worse by disabling the wrong things. Please, if you do decide to do the below tips, do not blame me if you break something or make it worse. If you have any doubts about doing this yourself, I’m offering a $49 tune-up special which includes all of the below and more.
Read MoreCartridge World = Saving Money
First let me start out with I’ve never been a big fan of inkjet printers due to cost, ink and mess. New ink cartridges are so expensive, and refilling them yourself is messy. Once upon a time, I used to refill my own cartridges but stopped when ink poured out of the printer onto the floor ruining the carpet.
Until recently, when people ask me “Where can I get cheap ink for my printer?” I’ve mentioned a drug store chain which did refills (of dubious quality) and eBay for cheap cartridges. New cartridges are just so expensive, I’ve seen a couple of occasions where it was cheaper to buy a new printer versus new ink tanks. So I was a bit reluctant when a client gave me a HP Office Jet Printer recently. It had 2 new ink tanks included, so I didn’t have to worry. Well, the day came and I ran out of ink. I’d given up on refilling my own and certainly didn’t want to pay retail for a new cartridge. I was thinking about buying off eBay, until I stumbled into Cartridge World in the Yester Oaks Shopping Center 3664A Airport Blvd 36608 (251) 725-6380 www.cartridgeworldusa.com
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Why you should not use a Universal Laptop Power Adaptor
One Power Adaptor/Charger to Rule them All? Not So Much..I’m writing this because I am seeing a trend. A trend in people replacing their original laptop Power adapter (Charger) with Universal Power Adapters (Chargers). These universal ones can come with different tips or you buy the tips separate. Some also have the ability to charge the laptop from a car, boat or other 12V Dc power point. While not all of these universal adaptors are bad, they can cause problems. I have lots of experience with universal type chargers, using the Kensington Wall/ Ultra and a couple different ones from Targus.
Let’s look at some of the problems created by Universal type Laptop Chargers-
Read MoreNow specializing in Laptop Repair Mobile Alabama
We are proud to announce we are now specializing in Laptop Repair. This has been something we have done since Day one, but the number one question we get is “Do you Work On Laptops?”
YES! I LOVE to work on laptops.
That’s right, no more overpaying those “computer fix-it guys” to learn while they earn, now you can save big money with us with your laptop and your desktop.. I do everything from LCD replacement, AC jack repair, replacing keyboards, replace/restore hard drives, hinges, replace trim pieces or even just virus or malware removal. If it cane be done on a laptop, I can do it. I am Dell, Toshiba and HP certified to work on laptops. Very few people in the state of Alabama have my same training and certifications. Why go somewhere else and pay more?
How much can I save?
Recently I replaced the bezel and lid on a Dell 1521 Laptop. The customer had called around and even taken to a local shop. The local shop wanted $150 for LABOR and $100 for parts- that’s a total of $250 to replace a couple of non electronic parts. The customer sourced the parts on ebay for around $40 and I charged her $20 for labor for a total savings of $190!
Please visit our Repairs Page for our latest prices and services!
We also work on Desktops, Servers and can even repair LCD screens…
Call us today! 251-418-4286
Read MoreLaptop DC Jack Repair – read me first
Did you laptop suddenly stop working? Battery won’t charge? Sounds like you might need a new DC jack. That’s the plug in the motherboard where the ac adaptor plugs in. Its a pretty complicated repair as the laptop has to be dissassembled and a new jack soldered directly to the motherboard. Its a big deal. Most shops charge $200 or more, others refuse to do it and just will try and sell you a new laptop.
BUT, are you SURE you need a new DC jack on you laptop?
I had a client dropoff a laptop a couple of weeks ago that she was told needed a new DC jack. She asked me how much, and the price I quoted was half of the local shop where she had taken it. So she went and got it from the shop . First off, this partiticular laptop had a type of DC jack that should not have broken. Most DC jacks break because they are sodlered directly to the motherboard and the stress of plugging and unplugging causes the solder to come lose. This particular motherboard had a DC jack that was connected to the motherboard with a plug. That was the first question in my mind, how did this one break? When I got the laptop the wire had been cut and the plug was missing. Ok, I figured they removed it so they could order the correct part. BUT it still should have been returned to the customer.
So I order the part and put it in. The laptop STILL doesn’t work.. Hmmm.. I get my voltmeter out and start testing stuff. Nothing, no voltage. No voltage anywhere on the board, and none on the ac jack.. Turns out that was the problem. A bad AC adaptor. Knowning that this laptop doesn’t have common issues with the dc jack breaking, that makes me wonder about the shop. Were they honest? Did they test the ac adaptor or did they even check to see if the dc jack was intact? The odds of BOTH parts failing could happen, but my client could win the lotto easier. I’m under the belief that this laptop just needed a new ac adaptor, but the tech wanted to gouge the customer and insisted it was a broken dc jack in an attempt to sell the client services they didn’t need or a new laptop. I won’t mention the shop here, but have heard two or three stories about this particular shop that coroborate what I believe.
So what I am trying to tell you is BEFORE you commit to a costly repair have the tech check out the ac adaptor or try your laptop with a different ac adaptor. A new AC adaptor is cheap ($30-$50) compared to a expensive repair that requires dissassembly and resoldering of your laptop.
When I wrote this, I had not written my article on Why you should not use a Universal Power Adaptor. I think anyone experiencing problems with their DC Jack should use a OEM (or generic) to test the computer. Using a Universal Power Adaptor could cause more problems and due to lose fit or incorrect voltage, may not work, leading to a needless repair….
Spyware, Adware, Malware : the solution
Lately I’ve been seeing a LOT of computers that are running slow. Some of these have popups that come up when the computer starts, some have a popup when first on the internet.. Some have favorite places that the customer never visited. Some won’t even connect to the internet.
These are all victims of spyware. Severe cases of spyware can be as hard to remove as a computer virus, and can do as much damage. Spyware has become the fastest growing concern among computer users today. You’ll also hear people refer to Spyware as Adware or Malware. These are all basically the same things, not quite as nasty as a computer virus, but not something you want on your computer either.
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