ITJuju.com

Click on the > button to watch the clip below:

The explanations by Dave York (KCRA’s computer guru) are spot on, especially the following two:

1. The hardest thing about fixing a PC is finding out what’s wrong with it – starting at 0:13.
2. Hard drives corrupt, it’s like a mechanic saying your engine bad lets put in a new one – starting at 2:20.

1 above is applicable to Macs as well – it’s applicable to all things, not just computers.

The tips at the end of the video assume a lot, so be careful.

Below are the listed and spoken tips, the spoken tips are italicised (formatted like this text):.

1. Shut it down – First shut it down, don’t make it worse.
2. Take it to a computer savvy friend – Take it to a computer savvy friend.
3. Back up your files – Boot in the safe mode and do a system restore, backup your files.
4. Get an exact diagnosis – if you do choose a repair service get an exact diagnosis.
5. Find out cost – find out how much it will cost to fix it, you may be able to repair it yourself.
6. More cost-effective to replace it – or it may be more cost effective to replace it.

The ones you need to be careful of are tips 1 and 3, the bit about Boot in the safe mode and do a system restore, backup your files.

These assume a lot about what might have taken place, if the power supply of the machine has blown, then tip 1 will automatically be done for you and tip 3 will not happen without a new power supply.

If the hard drive still works and if your data is still available – that’s a whole different matter.

You’ll know if the power supply has blown, as you’ll start smelling burnt electronics, and you’ll see the magic smoke.

For tip 6, it’s based on the following 2 simple facts:

1. Time makes everything cheaper, especially computer equipment – if you can’t afford it today wait 6 months.
2. Systems are replaceable – this is true of all computer technology.