How to Fix Network Problems

Network problems are often a reason for a lot of frustration. They can involve both hardware and software issues and sometimes require considerable degree of expertise and/or money to deal with. Adding to the desperation of the situation is that the internet is a good source for troubleshooting information on how to fix network problems, yet with a network problem, the internet often becomes inaccessible.

A common problem is that the computer can't reach the network. This might occur due to a number of reasons. The most obvious thing to do in such a situation is to check out the connectivity of the network cable. If everything is alright with the cable, then you need to check out installation issued of your network hardware. This can be done from the device manager: Click on "Device Manager" to open it. Look for "Network Adapters" and click the plus sign next to it. If you see an explanation point or a red X, this indicates a problem with your network card. Also, check out your network configuration: Right-click "Network Places" on your desktop. Choose "Properties" from the menu. Look for the "Local Area Connection" icon. Right-click it and go to "Properties." Click on "TCP/IP." If nothing works you should note down the details of the error and search for a solution on the internet from a working terminal.

Another common problem is that computers on the network are unable to detect each other. You can start by first checking whether you have the necessary provisions installed: Right click the "Network Places" icon on your desktop. Click "Properties." On the "General" tab, make sure you have "Client for Microsoft Windows" and "File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" installed. Check other computers likewise and make sure that all are on the same workgroup or domain. You can also try turning off the firewall to find out whether it is causing the problem.

Information of how to fix network problems is abundant on the internet and varies from situation to situation. A few minor problems like being unable to renew an IP address can be fixed through the command prompt: Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt, then typing 'ipconfig /renew' to attempt to obtain an IP address from the command line. Some issues can be cured by setting up a static IP address. This was a little information of how to fix network problems, further research on the internet is encouraged.

Computer Network Setup and Repair

Computer Network Repair wasn't heard of a few years ago just as computers weren't considered to be a necessity fifteen years ago. They were looked at as a high end luxury. However, things have changed and you will hardly find a home without a computer in it. There can be no business run at optimum levels without the help of a computer. The use of several different computers located in the same premise requires them to be connected using computer networks. However, if there is a computer networking problem, all computers may be affected.

Computer network repair is not something that all people are good at. A computer networking issues at the home or office requires immediate attention by a trained professional. Huntsville computer repair specialists know just what to do to get your network up and running. When your network gets setup by a network repair solutions professional you will be able to get your laptop and desktop computer communicating on your network, sharing files and much more. Huntsville computer repairs can provide you with the right kind of repair service at your premise at the most competitive pricing.

If you are not familiar with setting setup a network, you need specialized computer guru such as the computer repair in Huntsville AL, to address your problem. Security is very important as well. Many people don't think about it when setting up their network but if the security of the network is jeopardized, then you are laying yourself open to hackers getting your information. This will allow them easy access to your network and spread malware from one computer to another. Computer networking problems can manifest themselves in several ways such as Network delays, denial of service, network security and unavailability of certain network services and can be set right by Computer repairs in Huntsville AL.

Large businesses usually have a team of networking professionals to supervise and repair network problems. This is not possible for small business owners to have a team of networking professionals so they may choose a Huntsville computer repair specialist to do the job. These guys can monitor your network and keep hackers at bay. If there is a concern you could always call for Computer repair in Huntsville AL.

In case of a concern with just one desktop or a laptop, you can attempt to repair it yourself or call a computer repair service shop. But, what would you do if there is a concern with the network. This is when you will need experts to come for an in-house visit and analyze the issue. Onsite, at home or office computer repair service is extremely popular and it can be possible with Huntsville PC repair technicians that will come to your home or office and troubleshoot and repair the problem. They can be quick, effective and affordable and get you back online in minutes.

Some Huntsville PC repair service companies offer remote monitoring and support. If your office has network intense tasks being performed all the time and you don't have the budget for a network monitoring service then you should have a good Huntsville computer repair specialist on stand-by. A point to be noted is that some network repairs are possible remotely but for all else an onsite visit is essential.

Computer Network Repair For Beginners

While computer network repair is not something most beginning computer users want to tackle, there are a few things you can check that are common causes why your computer network won't work. Sometimes, checking simple things can make your network start working again. You might be able to isolate the problem, making computer repair less time-consuming, in the event you need an on-site computer network repair technician. Most of the time, networks will use Windows programs or SQL servers.

The first thing to try is to re-boot the system. This means you need to turn off all the peripheral computers and the main computer or network server will need to be re-booted, (turned off and then turned back on). Don't forget to re-boot the router because sometimes, this will be your problem. After you have tried this approach, you might find the system will be working because sometimes, an electrical blip causes the network to have errors, when booting up. This process might take a few minutes.

The next step for beginning computer repair is to check the cabling connections. Sometimes, a connection can work itself loose if you accidentally bump a component. If you have a red "X" in the system tray, this could be the problem. When you are narrowing down problems in computer network repair, a loose cable can be the problem many times.

Usually, the next step in troubleshooting your repair will be to check the hardware and make sure there are not problems. You go to the "Control Panel", then "Device Manager" to see if there are any disabled network devices marked with a red "X". You might need to re-enable the device, if you see these signs. If there is no network device listed, you might have a problem with your network card. If these are not problems, the next step in the repair would be to perform the Windows Diagnostics.

To perform the Windows Diagnostics, you go to the system tray in the lower right hand corner screen of the computer that needs repair. You will right-click on the red "X" that indicates no network connection and click on "Repair" or "Troubleshoot", depending on which version of software your system uses. This might clear up network problems, if software configuration problems exist. Avoiding computer network repair by an on-site technician can mean trying these simple steps. Sometimes, you can't avoid the need of an experienced computer network repair technician to help you, however.
For this reason, there are some companies that have taken advantage of computer network repair support technicians that are on-call and they will often walk you through the steps we have just mentioned. The great thing about learning the basics of computer network repair is that you might be able to get your network working again very quickly without help. On the other hand, if you can't figure out what is wrong with these simple processes of computer repair, save the more complicated tasks for a person that is experienced in computer network repair and don't start messing with system configurations or settings. This can make the computer network repair process take longer, and cause more problems than it solves.

The Top 5 Most Common Computer Problems

If you have a PC, then you have most likely suffered from computer problems. Most people have accepted that there PC will eventually crash due to a virus or some massive error. However this is a myth. Your PC is built to last more than a decade. However you must keep well tuned for it to make its third birthday. Nevertheless, most people would rather buy a shiny new PC rather than spend an hour trying to fix computer problems on there 2 year lap top or desktop. After another two year after their purchase lack of maintenance will cause their new PC to lose its performance speed. Whats next you guess, $3000 Windows Vista Ready PC. This is known as the consumer vicious cycle.

Why have does your computer have problems?

Well, the biggest problem that your computer has is its owner. More than 80% of computer problems stem from neglecting to perform simple maintenance task such as cleaning your registry, emptying your cache files and updating software regularly. If these task a perform diligently. You would be reading this article from a five year old machine running on Windows 98 operating system. So, lets take a look at the top five computer problems and how to avoid them.

1. Computer has performance has slowed.

This is the number one complaint from most users. There are several reason why this has occurred. However, most can attributed to lack of maintenance. Fragmented data, corrupted registry, spyware, and load of unnecessary programs and services running can all eat away at your PC speed and performance. Manage your programs and cleaning your registry would easily award you a 30% gain in performance speed. Check out The 4 ways to speed up my computer

2. Lockup, freezes, and blue screens of death.

This is a another common computer problem. However, this particular issue is a bit more serious; therefore, it needs a few diagnostic steps. In most cases this problems are caused by spyware. To avoid this problem update your anti-spyware program daily. Having the most up to date signatures will help you avoid having a serious spyware problem. However, if you have concluded that your PC is spyware free. You should update your hardware drivers. The computer cannot communicate with various hardware components without an up to date driver. When it cannot find a driver, the CPU locks up. Also, increasing your virtual memory can also help to avoid freezes. Virtual Memory will allow to you get more use out your computer's RAM. Check the resource box for more info on the subject.

3. The computer spontaneously reboots or turn itself off.

This computer problem can be usually attributed to a hardware issue. Usually its the power supply is dying or in most cases a dirty or defective cooling fan. The computer trying to cool itself by automatically switching off. So, if you feel a bit of extra heat coming out the computer. Clean the fan and make sure it running properly. If your fan is functional, check your power supply. Also, you will be surprised how many people fail to make sure the cables are attached tightly. This be the cause of this particular computer problem.

4. Strange noises and vibrations.

This is almost totally a hardware issue. You computer is made up of thousands of parts. Its not unheard of that one of them can become unhinged. Overheating can cause expansion of wires and melt some sensitive. High pitch noises such as squealing or whining sounds can be cause electronic components. Whatever the reason, you conduct a small investigation. Remove the case and run the computer to discover the origin of the computer problem. If its not a simple matter such as a loose wire or fan issue, it may be time to call a computer tech.

5. Your home page, default search engine, or web browser has changed itself.

This is also known as "high-jacking". Spyware has been installed on your computer via social networking or from email link. This action has allowed spyware to install a java script into your web browser. The spyware then sends a message to your browser to change your user settings. For example change your home page to another web page.

As you have discovered from reading the article, the most common computer problems can be handle quite easily by simple maintenance of your PC. Net time you are suffering from computer problems. Take a few minutes to run some diagnostic test before rushing out to computer technical center claiming your PC is broken. When all you need to do was just make sure it was plugged in.

How to Solve Windows Operating System Problems - Repairing OS Problems Yourself

There are many reasons why you are encountering Windows operating system problems; depending on the severity of the issue, there are many ways where you can fix the trouble yourself as long as you know how to do it. Hence, we shall discuss few of these things here in this article; and if you want to know what they are, then read on and check them out.

One of the most common reasons why Windows operating system problems occur is the invasion of malicious programs like spyware and adware that are causing some changes on the configuration and settings of your computer OS. In some instances, virus attack can also cause this issue to emerge on your unit. Hence, you need to have some tools to protect your laptop from invasion of any of these harmful programs such as spyware removal tools and antivirus software. This may cost you a few dollars but it can save you a lot from further troubles that may require technical works done by expert technicians.

Another reason for this trouble to occur is your hard drive is almost full; causing system slowdown and resulting for some errors to occur. In order to manage this situation, unclog your hard drives through uninstallation of some programs that are no longer or rarely used. This consumes a lot of memory space on your hard drives; removing them from your unit would greatly improve its performance and bring to an end some problems related to your OS. Another good option is to defrag your computer in order to organize files and optimize its operation. It is highly recommended to perform defragmentation at least once a month in order to prevent problems relating to this issue.

Another common cause of Windows operating system problems to emerge is cluttered registry. This area is one of the central parts of your OS where important data are stored. It also records every single activity happening on your unit; consequently the more you use it, the more it accumulates data. Most of them are no longer needed and they are only adding up to the mound of junk files; causing a lot of errors and slowing down your processor.

In most cases, one of the best ways to fix Windows operating system problems is to use registry cleaning software which is very effective in eliminating all trash files and fix all problems in your OS; and the good thing about it is that you can do it yourself without being a computer geek.

How to Solve Computer Problems by Using System Restore

Using System Restore

If your computer starts acting up it could be many things causing the problem, from an update clashing with a program to problems caused by a new program you have installed to Windows just loosing the location of a system file. If you cannot solve the problem by more straight forward means such as uninstalling a program you can restore your computer to an earlier date using System Restore to wind back your system. Windows creates Restore Points every day the computer is turned on or you install a program.

Finding System Restore XP

First in XP close and save any open Documents. Click the Start Button and then All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore.

The Restore Wizard then starts

Using Vista

The procedure may be the same as XP. Sometimes however System Restore will not appear in the System Tools List. In this event go to Start - Control Panel. Then in the standard Control Panel View, not Classic View go to "View advanced system settings" at the bottom of the left hand pane. In the pop up window click the System Protection Tab and then System Restore

System Restore wizard

At this stage the Restore wizard will start. If you do not have problems but intend to make big changes to your Computer you can create your own Restore Point at this stage. Otherwise follow the wizard to restore your Computer to an earlier time. You will have a choice of Restore Points. Choose one from before your problems started. You have the option for the system to show you earlier Restore Points.

Bear in mind that although System Restore will not remove any of your documents or pictures it will remove any programs, updates and Network Settings installed after the Restore Point you choose.

At the conclusion of the Wizard the Restore process will start. This could take 15 minutes or longer. Your Computer will then restart and the Restore process is concluded at the end of the Restart. If the Restore does not solve the problem or if Windows comes up with a message that it could not restore the Computer try an earlier Restore point.

Other troubleshooting

Note that using this process is a fairly drastic step. No not use it for temporary problems like Computer crashes or screen freezes. The best solution for these is Task Manager. Get to this by holding down the keys Control, Alt and Delete simultaneously. In task manager in the Applications Tab select the program which seems to be causing the problem and click "End Task".

6 Simple Tips for Getting the Best Price on Laptop Computers

Over the years the rules for buying a computer have changed considerably. No longer is the laptop considered a second class citizen in the computer world, especially with the new screens, the new classes of processors and huge hard drives that are available. People have talked about using laptops as desktop replacement for years but until now, it really hasn't been feasible but the laptops being built today will definitely do the job. However, how can you ensure you're getting the best price possible on laptop computers?

Take a look at these tips and make sure you're doing everything you can to get great deals on laptops:

1. Since laptops have a limited upgrade path, buy as much laptop as you can afford. This ensures you'll get years of service out of your investment.

2. Unless you're into gaming, virtually any new laptop system will give you a very good user experience when connecting to the internet, using word processing and other office capabilities and other standard functions. This means you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on a laptop when one costing a few hundred will be more than enough for your needs.

3. If you're using a laptop as a desktop replacement, using a docking station will simplify life immensely and save you money. These allow you to have a full sized setup for screens, keyboards and other peripherals in your home or office but enable you to disconnect your laptop computer in seconds to take with you. This means you can still use your existing screens and peripherals without losing functionality.

4. Make sure you get the right version of Windows when buying your laptop. All laptops will have some version of Windows pre-installed but the Home versions have limitations that may prove troublesome in a business environment and upgrading is usually more expensive than buying a laptop with the right version already installed.

5. Watch for seasonal sales and specials. Back-to-school, Christmas and other seasonal sales can save you hundreds on a new laptop computer.

6. Retailers will discount heavily on "older" laptops (which may only be a few months old) as new processors, operating systems and configurations come out. Paying attention to product cycles can save hundreds as well.

Buying a new laptop and getting a good deal isn't as hard as you may think. It does take some research and a little patience to ensure you're getting everything you want while getting one at a price you can afford. Today, laptops can take the place of a desktop system very easily so you can actually reassign the money you'd spend on a desktop and buy more laptop instead. Keep in mind that a laptop computer is an investment in your future so buying as much laptop as possible will serve you best.

How to Buy Cheap Laptops

Purchasing high end technology is expensive and more often than not it is unadvisable, except for customers who are absolutely sure they will exploit the technology to its full extent. However, for the average user, the latest technology does not bring significant benefits. To put it simple, there is no reason to replace laptops that are only one or two years old with cutting edge technology if the main purpose for owning a laptop is surfing the internet or using basic accounting programs. This guide will teach you how to buy a fully functional laptop with only a minimal investment on your part.

The first step in comparing different laptops resides in asking yourself what are the features proprietary to the purpose of owning one in your case. For instance, if you are looking for a device to take with you on long travels in order to keep working on your projects and save time, then it is obvious a lasting accumulator is a must. On the other hand, if most of your work is done in the office or at home, the importance of the accumulator fades. The same applies to whether you need wireless network capabilities, an imbedded camera, special ports and so on. In essence, you can go through the array of characteristics and systematically eliminate the unnecessary ones, without going overboard and over-simplifying the configuration of course.

While purchasing firsthand laptops does give a certain degree of security, especially in the case when the components come with an extended warranty period, secondhand models are a significantly cheaper alternative. On a side note, with a bit of research you may be able to find a laptop that is still in warranty. Therefore, the best place to start your search is definitely on bidding as well as second hand electronics websites. In order to win the bidding war on a certain laptop, this guide advises you to wait until the auction has less than thirty minutes left to go. This is not exactly a surefire method to win, but rather to boost your chances.

Purchasing cheap laptops does not only mean spending less on the model you purchase, but also recuperating a part of the investment by selling your older one. Therefore, if you own a laptop or desktop that will become obsolete once your new one is shipped to you, rather than throwing it away why not put it up for sale? Even if the highest bid only goes up to one hundred dollars, it is still better than nothing. In some cases, making the sale may even mean recuperating twenty-five percent of your investment.

At the same time, while this guide does not advocate purchasing the latest model of laptops that hit the shelves, buying technology that is older than five years is also to be avoided. For one thing, even though the technology will not depreciate, the normal wear and tear of old machines will definitely impact their functionality. Furthermore, being forced to purchase another laptop in the near future deems the whole point of spending less for the acquisition obsolete.

What A Computer CPU

The computer CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the part of the machine that makes the computer function, basically. It is responsible for carrying out the instructions of a program, which is done by accessing information from the memory and performing some specific action with it. After performing this action, it performs a 'writeback', wherein the changed information is re-written onto the memory.

Although they did not start out this way, modern CPUs are microprocessors. The invention of these microprocessors and their subsequent revisions is what has allowed modern machines to reach the 'clock' speeds that they do. These speeds are referred to as processor speeds, and have reached into the gigahertz range in recent years.

Many of these CPUs have reached their capacity for performing operations, which is why in recent years, manufacturers have turned to multiple core machines. The number of cores refers to the number of processors in the machine, and the more cores, the more tasks that can be performed simultaneously at peak speed. Theoretically, these machines should be faster than they really are. Software is generally considered the problem with reaching theoretical maximum speeds.

Computers create heat, something that anyone who has ever used a laptop on their lap can verify. Too much heat causes the machine to shut down in order to prevent damaging itself. There are several methods of keeping the area cool, including fans (air cooling) and liquid cooling. Air cooling is by far the more common of the two.

Allowing an air-cooled machine to build up dust, or not allowing proper clearance from objects can increase the temperature to a dangerous level. This can not only 'fry' the circuits and damage the machine beyond repair, but it can also cause fires in severe cases. This is why most computers come with detailed instructions on how to position them (such as not placing the machine directly on carpet or another soft surface).

Liquid submersion cooling is performed by materials such as oils, in which the CPU is submerged. It is rare because it is prone to problems-- leakage being the main one. If the material leaks into the other components of the machine, damage occurs and destroys the computer. Evaporation means that the liquid must be replaced periodically, which also increases the chances of damage via spills.

Water cooling is not a submersion method. Because the properties of oil and water differ, they must be used in different manners to cool machines. It is much more efficient at removing heat than air cooling, and because of this, has been used for mainframe computers and jury-rigged by users for many years. It is still quite uncommon in commercial personal computers, but is present in a few. Potential complications such as condensation and leaking make it less popular than air cooling in all but the highest-performance machines.

Machines these days can do things that machines twenty years ago could only dream about, and CPUs are one of the major things that are responsible for that. Since the invention of the microprocessor, personal computers have gone from being calculators and word processors to being capable of multiple different complex actions at the same time. Supercomputers are even more powerful. If it weren't for the invention of the microprocessor computer CPU, none of these things would be possible.

Laptop Repair-If Your Mains Charger Is Faulty

The laptop charger connects between the mains electric socket and the laptop, converting high voltage AC to low voltage DC. If the charger fails then the laptop battery will eventually discharge when you turn on the laptop. If the charge indicator light on the laptop does not illuminate when you connect the charger to the electric socket and the laptop, then no power is getting to the laptop and the charger might be faulty. There are usually three parts to the charger, any of which can and occasionally do fail.

Firstly check or change the fuse found inside the mains plug; depending upon which country you live in you may or may not find a fuse in the mains plug. If the fuse has failed then replace it with one of the correct type and current rating. If a fuse blows more than once then this usually indicates a fault with the charger or power cable. Whilst checking the fuse make sure that the brass screws are tight where the cables connect to the plug contact pins.

Secondly check the power cable that connects from the mains plug to the charger is not damaged. You should carefully check each end of the cable where it connects to the mains plug and the socket that connects to the charger. If you carefully bend the cable you may see where it is becoming detached from the plug or socket. You must replace the complete cable plug assembly if it is badly twisted, bulging or shows minor damage.

Thirdly check the power supply itself. If it has an indicator lamp that does not illuminate when you connect it to the mains supply, then the fault lies with the laptop charger. This can however give a false result if you connect the charger to the laptop where the laptop has a motherboard fault. So you should always test with the charger disconnected from the laptop. Many chargers do not have an indicator light or the light comes on as expected when you connect the mains power. Next take a look at the cable where it joins the low voltage connector that inserts into the laptop. It is very common for the cable to fail at this point as the user will often bend it sharply.

Sometimes when you move the cable the laptop charge lamp will momentarily come on and off. Check the cable where it comes out of the charger; this often breaks especially if you wind the lead around the body of the charger. If someone has damaged the cable either at the connector or anywhere along its length then the complete charger will need replacing as you cannot replace just the cable. Rarely, the charger itself may fail; this is difficult to diagnose this without substituting it with a replacement.

Laptop chargers do not usually fail, however, the low voltage cable and connector often fails due to the cable fracturing especially if someone has bent it sharply or wound it around the charger. So if possible you should not wind up the cables after using the laptop, but do disconnect it from the mains socket.

Graham Kelly has been repairing broken laptops for many years. From a simple power socket fault to a full motherboard fix. He is always pleased to offer repair guidance and can be contacted at Trilogic's internet site for laptop repairs or broken RAM disk.

Printer Repair Preventive Maintenance

As a printer repair company in Toronto, we come across different printer issues and most of these issues are similar in nature. Some printers leave smudges on the pages, some create Creases or curls on the paper or paper jam while other misprints on papers. These are very common calls from the printer customers. These problems happen on all the printer models including Laserjets, Color laserjets, Multifunction printers, Designjet or plotters and even ink jet machines.

Today's printers are very smart and versatile in their functionalities. Proper care and regular preventive maintenance can certainly enhance their productivity and life span saving you headaches of printer repairs. Although the manufacturer provides all the necessary information in the printer's user manual, end users do not typically understand that it is their responsibility to know this information. Here are some of things you can do to enhance your machine's life:

Always try to keep the machine free from dust and moisture. Dust is in fact the biggest enemy of printers as it causes paper jams and machine jam as it can easily penetrate the sensitive parts of the machine. You can either use a clean cloth or Air Duster to clean wipe the dust accumulated on the Laser printers. You can also vacuum clean the printers if you have the specialized tools to vacuum clean the machine. Be careful to use it only when the printer is unplugged and do not use it over complicated machine parts. Let a certified printer repair technician handle this job if there is some major problem. Try to inspect the paper pickup rollers for dust or cracks on regular basis as these are the major cause of printer paper jams. Also if you can, check for the separation pads located in the trays for dust or cracks. If it is dusty or, clean with alcohol or a water-dampened lint-free cloth or swab. Separation pads should be replaced together with pickup rollers.

Finally when using a reliable printer repair company, keep in mind the techs are experienced and most important they have the source to all possible parts. Some printer repair technicians are good in service but when it comes to parts, they have limited access which creates problem for the repair. A good printer repair tech should always do his proper homework before going in the field to fix a printer. He should always study the possible error issues so that he can start working right away on fixing the issue rather than doing the guess works by using hit and trial.

In a Nutshell, keep the printer clean and maintained as per the service manual by the Printer Manufacturer. Printer Repair Hub a leading printer service company specializing in all kind of printer repair for all major brands including HP Printer, Zebra, Okidata, Canon, Xerox, Epson, Lexmark, Brother, Kyocera, Panasonic and more.