Top 10 Computer Disasters (and How to Deal with Them)

Technology is now firmly centre stage in most people’s lives. From our smart phone from which we can control the heating and change the TV channel, to the tablet and laptop that seem permanently attached to our finger tips.

When disaster strikes, and our technological gadgets are rendered useless, we too can feel more than a little bereft – we can instantly be plunged into a state of anxiety and panic. Some important and sensitive information is contained with the gadget and thus, when we no longer exercise control over it, it is a d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.

Castle Computers have heard many tales of woe of when computer distress has struck and thus, we have made a top 10 list of what could go wrong – and added some remedies.

#1 Stolen laptop

If you frequently travel with your laptop, or just like taking it places, then it being stolen, left behind or lost is a possibility you will need to consider.

Thus, arming yourself to prevent this possibility is key. Some cloud services provide tracking software too, and there are also various software packages you can install to track or wipe the laptop if it falls into the wrong hands.

Unfortunately, if you don’t have any of this on your laptop then it may be lost – including your data – forever. Start protecting your finances and your identity now. Change passwords on everything!

#2 Infected PC

Viruses, worms, spyware – you name it there is a constant malware threat out there. Even those of you who are confidently computer savvy will know how easily and quickly these malicious programs can damage a PC.

So, upload a virus and malware now to protect you, but there are also many ways of cleaning it off your PC too, should one have snuck in.

#3 Noisy fan

We deliberated putting this so high up the list but really, a noisy fan drives us to distraction. As the tower on a PC works, it generates heat and thus the fan cools all those tiny, but important components.

Sometimes, the fan strikes up and stays noisy and thus the time to clean the dust bunnies out the laptop is here. Or, invest in some new hardware.

#4 Water-cooled PCs

Staying with over-heating PCs for a short time, some people invested in water-cooled PCs. Great for noiseless operating and effective cooling, but not so good when the water dripped in to the inner-workings.

You could dry drying it out and re-building it. It can work…

#5 Your screen is distorted

Sometimes, a dodgy screen can mean damage to the monitor itself (dead pixels will not come back to life). It can also mean that the graphics card has also seen better days and needs replacing. Sometimes, a new screen is the better option and get a new graphics card.

#6 Crashing programs

Ah yes, we have all been there. Press the on button to be confronted by an ominous looking message, telling us there has been a problem loading Windows etc. Instantly sending a shiver down the spine and making our blood run cold, the vast majority of us panic. Instantly.

As with most problems, try to reboot. If not, reboot in safe mode. If you are getting a specific error message, on another device search this term via a search engine. There are literally thousands of forums out there, packed with fabulous advice and hints that work.

#7 Your PC will not turn on

We feel your pain. And can see your stress levels heading for the roof.

The answer to this could be really simple – someone unplugged the PC to plug the hoover/recharger/any other electrical appliance in to your electrical socket. Problem solved.

If this is not the case, you should hear something from the PC – if the fan strikes up but the monitor doesn’t, it may be a monitor problem rather than a complex PC one.

Check your surge protectors as they may have kicked in. If it’s a laptop, your battery might be dead. Failing that, take it for repair.

#8 The Internet is down/slow!

There is a saying that the one thing that will get the attention of everyone in the household is to shut off the wi-fi. However, if the loss or intermittent signal of wi-fi is unintentional, it can be a simple problem to fix.

Your router is constantly receiving information in a format akin to shoving an elephant through a letterbox. Sometimes the elephant gets stuck and needs help. Switch off your router and allow it to re-set. Log jam of elephants in letter boxes solved.

Or, maybe your router needs updating or maybe a booster is required.

#9 Hard drive has crashed

Hard drives do not last forever. Fact. But, you know this so you have backed up all your data. Haven’t you?

Oh.

Some hard drives can be repaired enough for you to extract information and data but a shopping trip for a new hard drive is required.

#10 Your PC is running slow

Imagine if you ate one big meal after another. How would you feel? Bloated? Yup, this is how your PC feels. Stuffed full of information and all kinds of programs running constantly, along with its age, it is simply beginning to slow down.