Laptop Care

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Maintaining your PC could save its “life”

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By Aysë Stenabaugh

Let’s be honest, maintaining your computer is probably the furthest thing from your mind until something goes wrong. Similar to performing maintenance on a vehicle, having yearly maintenance done on your computer can help detect hardware problems, resolve security issues  and increase performance. Over time with and with use, Computers can become bogged down with unwanted software, pop-ups, and error messages. These issues can often be resolved without needing to purchase a new computer. We’ve included information about a few of the things that are recommended for you to maintain and are often included when having regular maintenance done at a computer repair shop.

Software which may or may not not have been installed intentionally often hinder performance by being configured to always run at startup or to run in the background unnecessarily. Over time you may accumulate software that you no longer use or that becomes out of date and should be updated. Identifying and removing software that is malicious can resolve slowness and unwanted pop-ups or notifications. Sometimes these programs can easily be uninstalled but other times it may take a skilled technician to locate and remove harmful software. To cut down on unwanted software, avoid using the software you don’t need, remove no longer needed software, and be careful when downloading software from third-party websites. Sometimes download buttons can really be advertisements that have nothing to do with what you are trying to download.

Updates are important to keep your device running smoothly. They help to ensure that any security risks that have been found and resolved are applied to your device. If your programs are out of date they may not function properly and sometimes they can even negatively affect the performance of your computer. Many users dislike updates because the result can sometimes include change however keeping your device vulnerable can end up much worse. Most often updates don’t provide many changes especially if they are done regularly. Both your system’s operating system and individual software should be updated as needed.

Hardware, or your device’s physical equipment, can wear out over time. Most commonly mechanical (non-solid-state) hard drives (where all your personal data is stored) fail after 5-7 years but that doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t fail sooner. When you have your computer maintained, good technicians will check your hard drive to see if there are any signs that your hard drive is failing and if necessary, recommend a replacement before any data is lost. An even better technician will be honest with you about whether or not its worth replacing the hard drive or the entire computer altogether. Computers can also overheat and should be blown out inside to remove dust and dirt buildup that could cause hardware to fail prematurely. If you have pets or are using your computer in a dusty or moist environment you should utilize canned air to spray out any dust lodged in the CPU fan. Never use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from a computer as it generates static electricity and can fry your device.

Temporary files can include files you opened but did not save, old update files that no longer have a use, and temporary files created while browsing the web. None of the aforementioned include your personal data files and are simply taking up storage space on your hard drive. Data files won’t slow your computer down but they do take up storage space and when a hard drive becomes too full the operating system will stop functioning properly and the device will become unusable until space is recovered. Temporary files in your web browser can also cause users to have issues when logging into websites, your web browser cache can be cleared to resolve this but should only be done if you exhausted other options as you will be logged out of all websites in the process.

Registry errors can be caused when you install and then uninstall a program or perform software updates. Since both happen regularly, these errors are unavoidable. You may not even notice that there is a problem but once the errors are resolved, background operations can run more smoothly resulting in a better user experience. Even with yearly maintenance most computers we see accumulate over a thousand or more registry errors, just another example of why regular maintenance is a good idea. Some automated programs will and can take care of the registry errors but can sometimes cause issues so users should always do thorough research if utilizing a registry cleaner yourself.

Malicious software that is installed on your device may not be obvious to the average user. While viruses and potentially unwanted programs can appear unexpectedly on your computer, often users unknowingly allow them in. An active antivirus no matter how good, won’t always prevent a user from installing software that could have legitimate purposes but that most would consider an unwanted or malicious program. These programs can sometimes be removed by using malware removal software but most often users can just uninstall the programs from the normal add/remove programs or apps and feature screen from within settings. To access this screen you can right-click on your start button and then click on apps and features from the top of the menu screen.

Pop-ups, errors & conflicts that you encounter can often be resolved by regular maintenance as well. Investigating these problems can sometimes lead to prevent of a potentially bigger issue. Often, we remember how simple computers used to be while disregarding just how frequently we use and rely on our devices today this has become even more obvious since the start of the pandemic. Since most of the things we use computers for also incorporate using the internet, maintenance is even more vital than it was in the past. If you are experiencing ongoing issues with your machine you can consider whether or not it would be better to replace your device or invest in having it maintained and upgraded.

 

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Technology Tips for the New Year

By Aysë Stenabaugh

The excitement over Christmas electronics can be short lived if you aren’t sure how to use your device properly. Parents may find themselves lost on how to help their children setup devices which can make Christmas feel a few steps away from torture. For over 20 years our family at Jester’s Computer Services has provided support and insight on how to make the most of your technology. Here are a few suggestions we have that might make the weeks following the holidays with your technology more bearable.

 

Setting up your new device – Almost any device is going to require some basic setup. You should fully charge your device and begin to setup your device only when you have the time to walk through each step documenting any important account information. If you are using a device that requires you to create or add an account (Apple id, Google, Microsoft or Amazon account) you should attempt to login or recover any existing accounts you are using. If your setting up a new account for your device, be sure to document the email address and password/pin numbers used to create the account, answer security questions and add a valid alternative contact method (email or phone number). Once your device setup is complete you should connect your device to your wireless network (if applicable) and perform any system updates by accessing the settings from your device menu.

Protecting your device – Electronics are expensive, and accidents happen, at the very least you should invest in a high-quality case to offer protection. Most cases will provide a raised edge which can provide protection to the screen however, screen protectors are ideal. We highly recommend insuring your device by buying an extended warranty or insurance policy (for mobile devices). Most retailers will let you purchase a protection plan within 30 days of purchase.

Maintaining your device – Most of the time the issues behind electronic devices have nothing to do with the physical hardware but rather the software installed. Some devices have automatic maintenance or programs that you can use to clear storage, memory etc. For those that do not, you can easily maintain your device yourself by uninstalling unused apps, disabling unneeded notifications and restarting your device regularly. A good antivirus is always recommended for Computers but on mobile devices it may be overkill, consider a free application like Lookout Security to scan newly installed apps for security risks (subscribers of their service can take advantage of additional security features). If you find your device storage is full you can always delete data, transfer to another device or use online cloud storage.

Physically you should clean your device with non-abrasive electronics cleaner and a micro fiber cloth. If you have glass cleaning wipes they work great too! Remove your device from the case at least a few times a year to clean of dust and debris that have built up under the case. We use our electronic devices a lot but sometimes we forget just how dirty they can get! When charging your rechargeable devices you should follow the manufactures changing recommendations, most manufacturers now recommend trying to maintain between a 60-70% charge. Leaving your device plugged in once fully charged can cause damage to the battery which can result it in the battery no longer charging to full capacity.

What is this cloud? – The cloud is another term for online storage. Instead of taking up precious real estate space on your phone, having to transfer content manually to another device, or paying for a phone with extra storage space, you can have your photos, videos and more stored on a secure online server. This not only gives you the ability to save space, you can also count on always having access to your data from anywhere that you can access the internet provided you remember your coveted login credentials. So, if you properly configured your device when you set it up, and your device decides to go for a swim and drowns you can login to your account and all the information saved in the cloud can be restored.

Feeling lost on your device? – Using a new device can be challenging. Remember to take your time and read all the information presented to you. Most technology won’t come with a paper user’s guide, but some devices will have tutorials showing you how to use the device. Many times, a basic guide can be found within the device as well. Friends and family can be a great resource for support, but you may find that communication can be difficult and that support from a loved one can quickly become frustrating. If you are in need of one-on-one technology support, contact us at Jester’s Computer Services and our resident technology tutor will guide you on your way to feeling more comfortable with your devices.

 

For more information or support please contact Jester’s Computer Services (family owned and operated for over 20 years!) at (717) 642-6611, visit us at 5135 Fairfield Road Fairfield PA 17320 or, find us online on Facebook or www.jesterscomputers.com

 

 

 

 

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Computer Maintenance: Save yourself time and frustration!

By Ayse Stenabaugh – Jester’s Computer Services

We’ve all been there, turning the computer on only to wait what seems like 10x longer than the last time for programs you don’t even recognize to load. Finally everything loads and you’re about to open your web browser when a large window appears prompting you that you need to update your software. Everything on your computer has seemed to slow down since you bought it a year ago, those were the days when the computer ran faster.

Much like a car needing an oil change computers need regular maintenance in order to continue to run smoothly. At Jester’s Computer Services we perform what we call a “clean-up” on your computer which combines the removal of malware and harmful software, hardware diagnostics, and maintenance into one package. (See our ad on this page for a special clean-up discount!)
Potentially Unwanted Programs

One of the largest growing reasons for regular maintenance is the number of “Potentially Unwanted Programs” that are installed on computers that can range from creating a nuisance to creating a security risk. Many of these programs get installed when users download software from third-party websites many of which offer drivers and popular software downloads that can be found elsewhere on the web. The only difference is that these websites get paid to bundle other software into your download so while you may be attempting to download Skype, a legitimate program from Microsoft, you might also be downloading additional programs such as unwanted toolbars or junk programs that claim they found errors on your PC and then ask you to pay to upgrade to resolve them.

Temporary Files

Unless system settings have been altered, every time you visit a website on your computer data from that website is stored in a temporary location on your computer. Other programs also use temporary files to create backups of working files. These files are not deleted automatically, over time these files add up and in many cases the removal of them frees up several Gigabytes in hard drive storage space! Removing temporary files can also improve computer performance and ensures that the websites you frequent are current when you view them.

Windows / Program Updates

Many times we hear people tell us that they are afraid to update their software. Updating your computer is very important because it can patch vulnerabilities or security holes within the software. Updates can also provide improvements both with performance and new features. Windows will do automatic updates and will sometimes require computer restarts to apply new updates. If your computer is not updating that could create a problem with your computer also. Other programs such as Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Java will commonly ask to update as well. You should be wary of websites that tell you to update software and take you to a third party website. Instead always update your program when you see an update window appear down by your computer clock to ensure you are updating from within the program. During a clean-up Jester’s performs all Windows updates as well as many common programs and will fix Windows Update if updates are not being downloaded to your computer.

Hard Drive Maintenance

The most important thing on your computer is the data that is stored on it. Your important data is being stored on the hard drive inside your computer. The hard drive industry is moving towards standardizing solid state drives which don’t contain moving parts but currently the cost is still too high. This means that most people have hard drives that are subject to hardware failure. Even those who have solid state drives aren’t completely safe from experiencing hardware malfunctions. In the past computers defragmented themselves on schedule but today that practice has been halted because that process can actually wear the drives out faster. Jester’s performs a yearly recommended hard drive defragmentation along with running hard drive diagnostics to evaluate the current potential for hardware failures.

Heat & Dust

Improper airflow inside a computer can cause stress on sensitive components inside the machine causing them to fail prematurely. Using a vacuum to clean a computer is dangerous because it causes static electricity and can fry the hardware inside. Jester’s uses a specialized high powered blower to remove dust and grime from inside your computer. Cooling fans are also evaluated to ensure that they are running properly and are providing adequate airflow.

Registry & Optimization

Many programs and advertisements claim that they will clean your computers registry and perform operations that speed up your computer. While this may be partially true, more often than not people are left with more problems than what they started with. The registry is a very sensitive area inside the computer that contains instructions telling the computer how to function and use different hardware and software to work together. Changing the registry without professional knowledge is a gamble and those who consider doing so or using a program to do so should proceed with extreme caution. Jester’s has used many tools over the past 20 years and has experienced much trial and error before finding the right combination to be used to service computers.
Why not maintain my own computer? Technology is constantly changing and keeping up is no easy task. It has taken us decades of knowledge and experience to be able to confidently provide our services. Having someone you trust to maintain your computer can save you hours if not days or weeks of frustration. This Is why during the month of March you can experience a clean-up from Jester’s Computers for $20 less and experience the difference yourself!

If you or someone you know is looking for affordable and reliable computer service please contact Jester’s Computer services located at 5135 Fairfield Road Fairfield, PA 17320 by phone at (717) 642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com or on Facebook. In addition to computer repair services we provide on-site service, one-on-one technology training and more!

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Don’t risk losing all of your data!

By Aysë Stenabaugh – Jester’s Computer Services

Unless you have a newer computer that is utilizing a solid state hard drive or flash storage (which from my own personal encounters can still be problematic) you should know that your data is not safe if stored in only one location. Standard hard drives have moving parts and any electronic device with moving parts will eventually fail. Studies have shown that hard drives experience a higher failure rate during the first year of use and the failure rate spikes even higher after three to four years of use.

What can you do to ensure your data won’t be lost due to hardware failure?

If your computers motherboard fails, your data should be accessible, however, if the hard drive that stores the data fails and you didn’t create a backup -you’re out of luck. If you have pictures, documents, music or videos that you don’t want to lose you NEED to have a backup of that data to ensure it won’t be lost. There are several backup options including flash drives, CD/DVD’s, external drives and cloud storage. Read more below about each of these storage options and the pros and cons of each.

What type of backup solution is right for me?

Depending on your budget and your skill level you may favor one backup solution over another. The four types of backups that we are covering each have their own advantages and disadvantages. You might prefer something more automated which will cost a bit more or something inexpensive that you can manually maintain might be more desired.

Flash Drives – For those who are comfortable manually copying files from one storage location to another and don’t need a more complex automated backup system a USB flash drive is an affordable option (with lower storage capacity drives averaging $20). They come in varying sizes and get more expensive the larger the storage capacity. USB devices have an estimated lifespan of 10,000 uses (meaning the number of times the device is expected to last when plugging and unplugging the device)

CD/DVD’s – This used to be a great way to store data until flash drives came along. Burning discs can be more complicated than copying files to a flash drive and since they can be scratched or broken they aren’t as reliable as flash drives are today. This storage method, while not preferred, may be the only option in situations where company policies don’t allow the use of external USB devices. In which case be sure to store your CD or DVD’s in a case to help resist damage. One benefit to using a disc as a storage medium is that other than being damaged the discs themselves can’t wear out.

External Drives – An external or backup drive can be a bit pricier (Averaging around $100) but with the additional storage space and features make it worth the expense. With the drives included backup software or Windows’ built in backup software your drive can be set to back up on a schedule to ensure that it keeps any data being adding to your computer safe. With Windows and some other software applications you can even create an encrypted system image. This is a highly sought after feature that allows you to take a snapshot of your computer allowing you to restore your computer back to the state it was in when the image was created – programs included! In addition to having a snapshot the system image is encrypted unlike a standard backup which means that a system image that was created prior to being infected with the CryptoWall virus (which renders all of your personal data including pictures and documents inaccessible) could be restored without losing data.

Cloud Storage & Backup – Some companies like Carbonite offer a fully automated online backup system. Others, like Dropbox or Microsoft’s OneDrive, allow you to store data in designated folders both on your storage device and in cloud storage. Data plans for Carbonite range from $60-150 a year depending on the level of service you choose. If you are using an internet provider that limits your monthly data usage (like a cell carrier typically does) you may want to exclude cloud storage as a data storage option.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to learn how important backing up your device can be. Unless you have absolutely no pictures, documents etc. stored on your computer or device that you can’t live without we highly recommend choosing a backup solution as soon as possible. Hardware failures can occur at any time in both new and old hardware. Yearly maintenance on your device can help to identify potential hardware failures but even then there is no crystal ball to determine when your hard drive will fail.

Save $10 during the month of November when you visit Jester’s Computers for a hard drive replacement, upgrade or backup drive solution. We are located at 5135 Fairfield Road right on route 116, call us at 717-642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com

 

 

 

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Laptops 101 – Tips on care for your laptop

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Recently we have been seeing some very common mistakes that can be easily avoided (and save you some money), with some insight on how and why they can damage your laptop. Read on for some free tips and solutions to common computer problems!

Do NOT leave your laptop plugged in all the time. You should unplug the laptop when it is fully charged and let it run down until you get the automated message about the battery being low. Once you get the message, charge the battery until full. Think of your charging habits for your mobile phone. You’re not going to charge a fully charged mobile phone, and you are not going to leave your mobile phone plugged in 24 hours a day seven days a week. Constantly charging a battery will reduce its capacity. Over time, the battery will no longer be able to hold a charge and will need replaced.

Be sure to use your laptop on a flat hard surface. Underneath the laptop are cooling fans to keep your laptop running at the right temperature. Setting the laptop on a blanket or on your lap can prevent proper airflow and cause your laptop to overheat. Heat can cause damage, so keep your laptop cool. If your still laptop still seems to run hot, try using a cooling pad with fans to keep it cool.

Do not pick up or hold your laptop by the screen, twist, hit, or push on the surface of the display. It only takes the pressure equivalent of squeezing a grape on the right part of the screen to break it. When picking up a laptop use two hands on the base.

Do not carry around your laptop with the power on. Laptops should not be moved while they are switched on. Movement greatly increases the chance of hard drive damage. One good jolt of your hard drive can cut the life expectancy in half and can often cause data loss. Power down your laptop, and never put your laptop into the sleep mode or suspend mode and put it in a carrying bag.

Remember to unplug your power adapter when transporting the laptop. Do not just unplug the power cord, grasp the end of the connector and gently pull it out. If you happen to bump the power connector while it is plugged in you may separate the power jack from the motherboard. Repairing the power jack typically costs around $150.

Another important tip is to make sure you properly shut down your computer. Shut your computer down by clicking on power and then shutdown or restart. Shutting the computer off by the power button itself can cause file corruption on the hard drive and your computer may be unable to start.

Do not eat or drink near your laptop. Liquids and electricity do not mix. If you spill liquid on your laptop while it is powered on, your laptop’s motherboard most certainly will short out. Parts and labor for replacing a laptop motherboard usually exceeds the cost of a new laptop. Please keep your drinks out of spill distance.

If you are in need of PC computer repair or services please visit Jester’s Computer Services located at 5135 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, PA. You can also reach Jester’s Computer Services by phone at (717) 642-6611 or send an email to: customerservice@jesterscomputers.com

For help with learning how to use a PC computer, mobile technology, web design, or graphic design contact Jester’s Computer Tutor for help! You can also visit our website at www.thecomputertutor.info or like us on Facebook to receive free tips and tricks! You can contact the tutor via email at help@thecomputertutor.info or by phone at (717) HELP-4-ME or (717) 435-7463

 

By Bob Jester