About DIY Computer Repair
Few computer owners enjoy spending money to fix it or being without it while a shop repairs it. DIY computer repair is simple and much less expensive than professional service. If you can read directions and use a screwdriver, you can save money and take control of your computing experience by fixing your own computer.
Home computer repair is practical for anyone who can cook meat loaf or change a car's oil. Today's computer components are large and sturdy enough to handle. Within broad categories, parts are interchangeable: what fits one PC desktop probably fits another. Most importantly, plenty of advice is available for free on the internet.
What to try if your computer...
...has no power at all. Check if the computer is plugged in. Then check the outlet by plugging a lamp into it. If neither of these is the problem, open your computer and look for loose connections.
...starts, but the screeen doesn't light up. Switch the monitor or plug an external monitor into your laptop.
...displays error messages. If the computer tries to start, it usually tells you about any problems it encounters. Read what it says and follow its hints.
...works, but one external device does not. The printer, the keyboard or the cable modem may not function. Switch them out to see if the problem is the computer or the peripheral. Borrow a friend's device if necessary.
...works, but one internal device does not.
- If the component in question is on your motherboard, give up. If you replace the motherboard you are in effect building a whole new computer. Computer building is not a bad thing or hard to do but it is not DIY repair.
- If a card or a drive is the culprit, order a new one. Power down the computer and replace it. Directions are easily available on the internet.
One caveat: the rest of your computer may work perfectly, but if the hard drive fails the computer cannot get to the programs that run it. All computers should be set to boot first from the CD or DVD drive or a USB key, and all users should have a copy of Linux on a live CD or pen drive. This lets you boot the computer and use the Internet to find diagnostics and tutorials. The media are inexpensive and Linux is free to download. Slax and Puppy are great distributions for this purpose. Users should be sure to figure out how to use them before they need them.
DIY computer repair is as simple as many other home maintenance tasks. It is fun, it lets you customize your computer to fit your needs and it can save you a lot of money. The next time your computer has a problem, consider fixing it yourself.