Category: Computer Repair

Don’t Let It Be the Death of You | Prescott, AZ

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It is something that anyone who works on a computer dreads the most. You’re busy working along when all of a sudden, your screen freezes. And you were in the proverbial zone that saving your work hadn’t happened for quite a while. Oh no! Did you lose all your work? More importantly, will it come back? There is literally nothing like the panic that washes over you when a computer screen freezes and all you see is a blue screen. Did you know that your ultimate computer dread has a name? It does. That blue screen with a list of computer instructions and information is called the Blue Screen of Death. This occurs when Windows crashes or locks. Apropos, isn’t it?

Despite what you think at the time, the reason for this Windows screen is to tell you the reason for the error and to calm you down. Seriously! The color blue has shown to have a calming effect on people, so the blue screen is used to prevent you from freaking out.

As you read the information shown, the error you experienced will be in all capital letters at the top. It will help you or a computer repair technician find the information you need to fix the problem. Also, Windows will take anything it’s holding in system memory and put it in a file and saves it on your hard drive. Calming your nerves yet?

The error and memory file will be researched to find the cause of the system stop and to help repair it. If you experience a Blue Screen of Death and aren’t sure how to fix it yourself, call a computer technician for help.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Prescott Valley and all surrounding areas.

Super SloMo: How to Fix It | Corona, CA

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In a day and age where waiting is an annoyance we are unwilling to deal with, having computer issues are a headache we have zero time for. Not only do we live on the internet, but even basic life functions have somehow integrated a computer into it. So, when we have a slow-running machine, it almost feels like a reason to panic.

There are several things that can contribute to your computer slowing down. Bugs in the operating system, failing hardware, or even static electricity from carpet can lead to computer glitches. But before taking your computer in for repair or buying a new PC all together, try out these quick fixes to see it they can get your computer running a bit faster again:

Uninstall unused programs. When buying a new computer, programs that have been pre-installed. Uninstall any programs you don’t use.

Delete temporary files. All your browsing history remains deep in your computer, and the same goes for when you install something. Make sure to get rid of all the clutter to free up space on your system.

Get more storage. If you have too much on your hard drive, it will affect the speed of your computer, especially if you use your computer for things such as recording media or video.

Stop unnecessary reboots. Every time you start up your PC, some programs automatically run in the background. Every application that is running will use your PCs memory and slow it down.

Clean it up. Dust gets sucked in by the cooling fan and can clog the airflow of the computer causing it to overheat and slow down.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Scrub-a-DubDub: Time to Clean Your Laptop | Corona, CA

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We use our laptops constantly because they move along with us through our daily life and the convenience factor is tremendous. But have you noticed that your laptop has begun to feel dirty? Perhaps some keys stick a bit more than before. If this is the case, it may be time to give your laptop a bit of a spring cleaning in summer. Every computer needs to be cleaned, but because laptops are so convenient, laptops require a cleaning more frequently. And since we talked about cleaning our computer towers last month, let’s get to cleaning our laptops with these simple steps:

Before you start, make sure to power down your laptop and unplug it from the wall. If your laptop has a battery, make sure to remove that as well. The first area you should start cleaning is the lid and bottom of the laptop. Mix a couple drops of dishwasher detergent with warm water and wipe the surfaces down with a lint-free cloth. Rinse your cloth with clean water and wipe down again before taking a dry cloth to dry.

Next comes the keyboard. NOTE: Be sure not to let any liquid (of any kind) drip down into the keyboard. Take your compressed can of air to remove any dust or crumbs in the crevices of the keyboard. Next, use the isopropyl rubbing alcohol to wipe down your keyboard and remove any residue.

Lastly, the vents. If your laptop has large side vents, you’ll most likely find some dust bunnies there. Use your compressed can of air to blow the dust out of the vents. By getting rid of excess dust and debris it will not only make your laptop look much better, but it will run better too.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Computer Maintenance: Keepin’ It Clean | Corona, CA

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As we all know, in order to keep our machines running in top condition, they need to be maintained. But do you actually follow those guidelines when it comes to your computer equipment? Believe it or not, you should be cleaning your computer at least every three to six months to prevent dust build-up. Dust build-up is one of the key factors that cause a computer to overheat, so make sure to keep up on your computer cleanings. Not sure where to begin? Here are some guidelines to giving your computer some necessary TLC:

  • Here are the tools you will need: a soft brush, a can of compressed air, electronic safe wipes, a vacuum and a screwdriver if you need to remove the computer tower’s panel.
  • Make sure to shut down your computer, unplug any cords and let it cool down before you start cleaning.
  • Start by wiping down the outside of your computer tower with the electronic safe wipe, then carefully vacuuming out the tower’s vents.
  • Next, remove the panel from the computer tower and start by cautiously vacuuming the inside, be very careful not to touch any of the computer’s components.
  • Once vacuumed, take a soft brush and brush away the remaining dust. For extra dusty areas, use compressed air to help loosen the debris.
  • Finally, replace the computer panel and plug back in your cables.

That wasn’t so bad, was it? By taking the time to maintain your computer tower, you are ensuring that your equipment will be running at peak performance, so there are many benefits that come from cleaning your computer regularly.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

When Your Hard Drive Goes Rogue | Corona, CA

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In a world when clouds are getting hacked left and right, many have relied on backing up their information with a hard drive. And thus, hard drive failure can be quite devastating for most people, because our hard drives are typically full of important files like personal information, photos, audio files and videos. Few people fail to realize that just like any other electronic devices, hard drives have a limited life span as well. The average lifespan of a stationary hard drive is about 5-10 years and will start to show signs of failure before facing a meltdown. Here are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for before it’s too late:

Computer freezes. If your computer is freezing while trying to access particular files, you should shut down and restart your computer. If it continues to freeze while trying to access that same files, it may be hard drive failure.

Corrupted data. If your files are starting to disappear or are failing to open even though they were saved with no error, you should worry a bit. This could be a possible sign of gradual hard drive failure.

Strange sounds. When you start hearing noises coming from your hard drive such as clicking or grinding, start worrying. This common sign of a failing hard drive is known as the “click of death”.

CHKDSK command. If every time you start up your computer, it automatically runs the CHKDSK command while its booting up, this may indicate hard drive failure.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Computer Issues? Let’s Make Sure. | Corona, CA

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Virus Alert

There are plenty of reasons a computer will need some type of technical support, whether it be from something simple to something much more complex. Because computer issues are more a headache if you don’t have any idea what is going wrong, here are three of the ore common reasons your computer is on the fritz:

Malicious software. Viruses, adware, spyware, worms, trojan horses and any other type of software that is designed to cause mischief with you or your computer. You can get malware anytime you’re browsing the internet, downloading an email attachment, accessing a different computer through a network, or when you’re plugging in an infected flash drive.

Slow computer. Like a new home or car; if you don’t take proper care of your computer, you’re going to have problems so it’s very important to make good use of your computer resources. Every computer has a limited amount of storage space, ram memory and processing speed. The more programs, documents, music, videos, pictures and tool bars you have, the slower your computer will run.

Hard drive failure. If you’ve been hearing your computer make loud noises it’s never made before, be scared because those noises could be coming from your hard drive. The hard drive is where everything is stored and hearing a clicking noise when you access data is one of the first signs of hard drive malfunctions. Hard drives can stop working for a myriad of reasons, but they typically crash due to mechanical failure, a violent shake, electrical surge, or even viruses.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

What to Do when Cleaning Your PC | Corona, CA

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Is your computer running a bit slower than usual? Have you been putting off cleaning out your files stored on your desktop? Since February is host to National Clean Out Your Computer Day (February 11th), take some time out and dedicate it to your computer. Before your computer has time to take an unexpected turn for the worse, do yourself a favor and start by cleaning it out today. The following list includes a list of the best practices to keep your computer running at its optimal speed:

Clean your PC. We aren’t talking about the guts of your PC, we mean the outer surfaces. Cleaning your PC’s exterior will not only get rid of food particles, dust and hair that have settled in your keyboard, fan, and other components, it will also allow your computers performance. Before you begin, turn the power off. Clean your keyboard with compressed air and a safe cleaning solution. Wipe down your mouse. Then proceed to use the compressed air to clean your actual computer.

Clean out your PC. This is where you clean the innards of your computer’s brain, because software is just as important as its hardware. Delete all junk, duplicate files and programs that you no longer use. Reorganize those files, folders and don’t forget your desktop. Finally, make sure to check your PC for adware, viruses and other malicious software that may be slowing your system down.

If you aren’t sure how to clean your computer, make sure to consult a professional for additional help. Once your computer is cleaned inside out, enjoy its seamless, quick and quiet performance.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with cleaning your computer at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Is It Malware or a Virus? | Corona, CA

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headache over computer problems

In a world where it seems everything is getting hacked, it is easy to panic when something goes wrong with your computer equipment. The slightest glitch or stall and we are thinking the worst. And when we think of the worst thing that can happen to this equipment, we will generally think about computer viruses. Yes, the evil computer virus is the original enemy of the typical computer user, and in this day and age, it is impossible to not use some type of computer in our daily lives.

Then you hear about malware and a whole new set of questions and concerns come to mind. Let’s break it down – a virus is just one kind of malware, but the actual term is largely used by the public and the only way to protect yourself is to have some type of an anti-virus. The following are various types of malware designed to infect your computer or mobile device:

Adware. Adware is the least dangerous and most profitable malware. It displays ads on your computer.

Spyware. This software spies on you by tracking your internet activity in order to send adware back to your machine.

Worms. A worm replicates itself and destroys data and files on your computer until the drive is completely empty.

Trojan horse. One of the most dangerous malwares, Trojans are designed to discover your financial information and take over your computer’s system resources.

Ransomware. If you see a screen that warns you that you have been locked out of your computer until you pay for your “cybercrimes”, you have ransomware.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with malware protection at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

When You Experience a Power Outage | Corona, CA

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computer repairWith all of the crazy weather, it is important to think about running your business without thinking about emergency precautionary measures. What will happen if you have a power surge? Do you have the proper backup equipment to keep your company moving if something interrupts the power?

Power outages can be devastating to your computer. Not only can you lose files and any vital information, but your computer itself could bear the brunt of some pretty devastating damages. If this happens to your computer, the first move is to seek immediate computer repair. They will be the best at trying to salvage anything that may become lost. But there is something you can do that can keep your computer stable through a power surge – a UPS, or uninterruptible power supply.

A UPS is a battery-containing device that supplies backup power to your computer in case of a power outage, as well as brown outs and electricity spikes. The battery will keep your computer running temporarily during a power surge, giving you the time to save your work and shut down your computer properly without losing data. Not only will this save important documents, but money from costly computer repair.

The UPS will come with power management software that can be configured to sense an outage and safely shut your computer down in the event you are not in front of your computer at the time. You can also set your computer to come back on when power is restored.

It is important to think about emergency plans when you start a business. Not only for your assets, but for your office equipment.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your backup equipment at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Is Your Hard Drive Going Bad? Here’s How to Tell | Corona, CA

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Has your computer started making funny noises? If you know nothing about computers, you aren’t alone. We buy our technology to make our lives easier, but when they begin to act strange, we have no clue about what to do with them. What are the components that make up our machines? How do we make sure they are running at top form?

If you find that your computer has begun to make noises you don’t recognize, it is possible that your hard drive going bad. Your hard drive is the brain of your machine, where all of your information is stored. And while there are plenty of reasons it is acting funny, they usually crash because of a virus, mechanical failure or electrical surge.

Unfortunately, a hard drive failure could happen at any time without warning, so you need to make sure you back up your hard drive on a regular basis, because valuable data that cannot be retrieved. If Windows is always telling you that it needs to check the consistency of your hard drive, it could be trying to tell you your hard drive is about ready to fail. Your computer runs like we do and can develop symptoms of deterioration, so make sure you don’t ignore the signs.

If you think your hard drive might be going bad, we can run a diagnostic test and let you know if you need a new one. In addition to testing, we can order and install a new one for you.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your hard drive at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.