Damaged Laptop Hinge: Prevention, Repairs, and Cost-Effective Solutions

In today’s digital age, laptops have become an indispensable part of our lives. They accompany us everywhere, from classrooms to coffee shops and from board meetings to bedroom binge-watching sessions.

But there’s one vulnerable part of a laptop that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late – the hinge. Laptop hinges are critical components that allow the screen to open and close smoothly, providing the flexibility and functionality we love.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of laptop hinges, exploring what they are, the various ways they can be damaged, how to prevent such damage, methods to fix them, and the associated costs and timeframes.

What are the Different Ways the Hinge Can Be Damaged?

Laptop hinges are subjected to a variety of potential stressors and can become damaged in several ways. Understanding these common causes of hinge damage can help you take proactive measures to prevent such issues.

a. Overuse and Wear and Tear

Constantly opening and closing your laptop can put a strain on the hinge mechanism. Over time, the hinge may weaken or develop stress fractures, leading to problems like wobbling screens, stiffness, or even complete failure.

b. Physical Damage

Accidents happen, and laptops can fall or be subjected to physical impacts. Such incidents can cause severe damage to the hinge, leading to misalignment, cracks, or even complete breakage.

c. Poor Handling

Rough handling of a laptop, such as gripping the screen to open it or carrying it by the screen instead of the base, can exert excessive pressure on the hinge, leading to damage.

d. Manufacturing Defects

In some cases, laptop hinges may have manufacturing defects that make them more prone to damage. These defects can manifest as premature wear or misalignment issues.

e. Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions can also affect laptop hinges. Exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, or dust can accelerate wear and tear, potentially causing hinge problems.

f. Aging

As laptops age, their hinges may naturally wear out. This can result in the hinge becoming loose, making the screen wobble or not stay in position.

How to Prevent Hinge Damage

Prevention is always better than cure, and the same holds true for laptop hinge issues. Here are some practical steps you can take to prevent hinge damage and ensure the longevity of your laptop:

a. Handle with Care

Treat your laptop gently and avoid any rough handling. When opening and closing the laptop, use both hands—one on the base and the other on the screen—to distribute the pressure evenly.

b. Avoid Overextending the Screen

Do not push the screen past its maximum angle. Overextending the screen can put excessive strain on the hinge and may cause it to break.

c. Use a Laptop Sleeve or Bag

Invest in a quality laptop sleeve or bag to protect your laptop during transportation. This will shield it from potential impacts and environmental factors.

d. Keep Your Laptop Clean

Dust and debris can accumulate in and around the hinge area, affecting its performance. Regularly clean your laptop and its hinge area to prevent buildup.

e. Maintain Proper Ventilation

Laptops generate heat during operation, and adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent overheating. Ensuring proper ventilation will help maintain the overall health of your laptop, including its hinge.

f. Avoid Placing Heavy Objects on the Lid

Avoid placing heavy objects on the laptop lid when it’s closed, as this can damage the hinge and the screen. Always clear the area around your laptop before closing it.

Additional Tips for Plastic Hinges

If you own a laptop with plastic hinges, be especially cautious and follow these additional tips:

a. Open the screen slowly

When opening your laptop, do it gently and avoid jerky movements to reduce stress on the hinge.

b. Use fingers behind the screen

Instead of using the screen itself to open the laptop, use your fingers behind the screen near the hinge area to apply pressure evenly.

c. Don’t push the screen too far back

Avoid pushing the screen beyond its normal range of motion, as this can strain the hinge.

d. Keep the laptop cool

High temperatures can cause plastic components, including hinges, to become brittle and more prone to damage. Ensure your laptop remains cool during use.

Ways to Fix the Laptop Hinge

If you find yourself dealing with a damaged laptop hinge, fear not – there are several methods to fix the issue. The right approach depends on the severity of the damage and your level of technical expertise. Before starting, you need to first identify whether it is the hinge that is actually damaged or if it the components that the hinge is attached to. Here are some common ways to address laptop hinge problems:

1. DIY Hinge Repair

For minor hinge issues like stiffness or wobbling, you can attempt a DIY repair. Here are the basic steps:

a. Gather your tools: You’ll need a set of small screwdrivers, a soft cloth, and a strong adhesive.

b. Remove the bezel: Carefully remove the plastic bezel or cover that surrounds the laptop screen. This usually involves removing screws and gently prying it off.

c. Inspect the hinge: Once the bezel is removed, inspect the hinge for any loose or damaged parts.

d. Tighten screws: If you find loose screws, tighten them gently but not too forcefully to avoid damaging the threads.

e. Apply adhesive: If there are cracks or breaks in the hinge, you can use a gentle adhesive to reattach or reinforce it. Be cautious not to use too much adhesive, as it may interfere with the hinge’s movement. While superglue is useful for a quick, easy fix, more experienced users can use Selley’s Araldite Super Strength Epoxy Adhesive or a Glue gun from Bunning’s Warehouse.

These adhesives are stronger, permanent and have a 5-minute drying time. I recommend the 5-minute glue instead of 24-hour ones because you’ll want the glue to set quickly to finish off the repair.

f. Reassemble: Carefully reassemble the laptop, ensuring that all components fit snugly. Test the hinge to ensure it’s functioning properly.

Please note that DIY hinge repair can be challenging and may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re uncomfortable with disassembling your laptop or if the hinge damage is severe, it’s best to seek professional assistance.

2. Professional Repair

Professional repairs are often the safest and most effective way to address hinge issues. A certified technician can disassemble the laptop, assess the extent of the damage, and perform the necessary repairs. They may also replace any broken hinge components with new ones.

3. Replacement Hinge

In some cases, the hinge may be irreparably damaged or have a manufacturing defect. In such situations, replacing the hinge is the best course of action. Replacement hinges are usually available from laptop manufacturers or third-party suppliers. Here’s how you can go about replacing a laptop hinge:

a. Identify the correct hinge: Make sure you order the correct hinge model for your laptop. Consult your laptop’s service manual or contact the manufacturer for guidance.

b. Gather your tools: You’ll need screwdrivers, a soft cloth, and the replacement hinge.

c. Disconnect and power down: Turn off your laptop and disconnect it from any power source. Remove the battery if possible.

d. Remove the bezel and screen: Follow the steps mentioned in the DIY repair section to remove the screen bezel.

e. Detach the old hinge: Carefully remove the old hinge, taking note of how it’s attached. Keep track of any screws or brackets.

f. Attach the new hinge: Securely attach the replacement hinge, ensuring it’s aligned correctly with the laptop’s chassis and screen.

g. Reassemble: Carefully reassemble the laptop, making sure all components fit properly. Test the hinge to ensure it operates smoothly.

How Much Does it Cost and How Long Does it Take to Fix or Replace the Hinge?

The cost and timeframe for fixing or replacing a laptop hinge can vary widely depending on several factors, including the laptop brand, model, and the extent of damage. Here’s a rough estimate of what you can expect:

1. DIY Repair

A DIY repair for minor hinge issues may not cost you much, as you’ll mainly need tools and possibly a small amount of adhesive. The time it takes depends on your skill level but is typically a few hours.

2. Professional Repair

Professional repairs are more expensive, and the cost can range from $50 to $200 or more, depending on the complexity of the repair and the technician’s labor charges. Turnaround time can vary, but most repairs can be completed within a day or two.

3. Replacement Hinge

If you need to replace the hinge, the cost will include the price of the replacement hinge, which can range from $10 to $50 or more, depending on the laptop model and brand. Labor charges for the replacement can add an additional $50 to $100 or more. The entire process can take a few hours to a day, depending on the technician’s expertise and workload.

It’s important to note that these are rough estimates, and actual costs and timeframes may vary based on your location and the specific circumstances of your laptop’s hinge issue. Always obtain a quote from a professional technician or service centre before proceeding with any repairs or replacements.

Professional Hinge Repair Services

If you prefer to have your laptop’s hinge issue resolved by professionals, we offer a cost-effective and efficient solution. We specialize in laptop hinge repair and replacement, and here’s what we offer:

a. Hinge Repair and Securement

We can repair and secure the hinge using a reliable bolt and nut method. This ensures the hinge’s stability and functionality for the long term.

b. Quick Turnaround

We understand the importance of your laptop in your daily life, so we strive to complete the repair within one day.

c. 1-Year Warranty

To give you peace of mind, we provide a 1-year warranty on the hinge repair service, ensuring that you’re covered in case of any unexpected issues.

By choosing our professional hinge repair service, you can save a substantial amount compared to taking your laptop to the manufacturer. Our expertise and commitment to quality make us the ideal choice for resolving your laptop hinge problems.

In conclusion, laptop hinges play a crucial role in the functionality of your device and understanding their vulnerability to damage is essential. By following preventive measures and handling your laptop with care, you can prolong the life of your hinge. If you do encounter hinge issues, you have various repair options, ranging from DIY fixes to professional assistance.

Remember that the cost and timeframe for repairs depend on the extent of damage and the chosen method. Choosing a professional hinge repair service can be a cost-effective and reliable solution, ensuring that your laptop continues to serve you for years to come.

If you need more advice and help with your laptop, we’re here to help! At Safemode Computer Service, located in the heart of Inner West Sydney, our experienced technicians can assist you with any computer issue you have. We fix all computers, whether you have a desktop or laptop, PC or Mac. Call us today at 1800 85 83 82, or come on down to our Enmore store!

“Computer repairs near me”? Don’t ask Google, I’ll tell you where

As Google has gotten smarter over the years, users are leveraging “near me” searches more than ever. Thanks to Google, our computer repair shop gets found through “computer repairs near me” searches by many.

Google certainly helps you find the best local computer repair shops based on reviews and distance. But, can Google really tell the differences between computer models, where to find the best “computer repairs near me” for a particular type of computer?

In this post, I’ll tell you where to find the best options to repair your computer near you, based on certain types of computers, with my 17+ years of experience in the industry.

Here are list of computer technicians for you to consider

I know computers inside out, better than my own home. I’ve seen other computer technicians’ work and how they fixed it.

Just like doctors, different doctors may have different opinions about your sickness.

Computer “doctors” are like that too. Different computer technicians have different ways to test your computer and different approaches to a solution.

I’m not saying other technicians are not good. What I mean is, different technicians have different ways of fixing things.

There isn’t any bullet-proof approach. It’s up to you and your selected computer repairman to decide what’s best for both.

Sometimes, what the computer expert recommends you isn’t what you’re after, then you may opt to choose someone else.

Now you’ve understood that, I’ll share with you the differences between computers, who can fix what and where you can take your computer for repairs. After that, you can decide better where to go next.

Click here to jump straight to my list of “computer repairs near me“:

• Computer repairs shop (both Windows & Apple Mac) for Sydney inner city, Marrickville, Inner West, Eastern suburb area
• At-home computer repairs for Sydney inner city, Marrickville, Inner West, Eastern suburbs
• Computer repairs shop for Eastern suburbs
• Apple Mac computer repairs shop for South Sydney area
• Apple iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablet repairs shop in Marrickville, Inner west
• Windows and Apple Mac computer repairs shop for South Sydney area
• Computer retailer in Sydney North Shore
• Computer retailer in Inner West

First, what type of computer do you need repairs on?

It goes beyond reviews and distance to determine what options are best for your computer.

For example, if your computer is a Windows laptop, a computer repairman who specialise in Apple Mac computers only won’t be able to help you. Even though he might be the nearest to you with the highest reviews and ratings.

There are a few types of computers:

• PC tower desktop computers: computers that have a separate monitor, keyboard, mouse fom its tower box

• Laptops: A portable, travel-friendly computer

• Apple Mac computers: Apple launched both laptop and desktop computers.
• 2-in-1 laptops that are convertible to tablets: eg Microsoft Surface laptops, Lenovo Yoga laptops, HP x360 laptops etc.

• Chromebook: Google built-in, laptops running on Google’s Chrome OS.
• All-in-one computers: A computer that combines all desktop components into a closed unit, rather than using a computer tower separate from the display monitor.
• iPad and other tablets: Always function using a touch screen. These could be considered personal computers but they’re very different from normal laptops. I mention it anyway because I’ve seen many customers ask me to repair their tablets (and phones).
• Server computers: Computer hardware/software for other devices functions.

When I first started fixing computers, I only knew about desktop PC computers (Windows). I had no idea how to fix laptops or Apple Mac. They are very different from desktop computers.

Many other computer technicians were the same.

Each computer technician has different expertise. He could be a desktop PC-only repairman, or a laptop repairman, a Windows-only repairman or a Mac-only repairman.

Many technicians only specialise in iPad, tablets, and phone repairs, but not computers. They will advertise they can fix computers.

But, having seen their work, in my opinion, they are better at phones and tablets, not computers.

Some technicians only fix server computers and outsource PC repairs to other technicians.

It’s also common that many computer technicians only go on-site (servicing computers at the customer’s place). They don’t have a workshop to carry out complicated repairs such as Apple logic board repairs. In this case, they may outsource the work to another repairer.

While many computer repairmen are bringing-in only type, they never fix computers on-site.

For the first few years, I didn’t even know how to open up a laptop. When laptops got more popular, I had to learn to repair laptops. Then, when Apple Mac computers got more popular, I also had to learn to repair Apple Mac.

When we had many requests for onsite services, I had to go to customer places to fix computers there as well. This is a common request from businesses that need networking setup and email troubleshooting.

I’ve worked on servers many times as well, from building one from scratch to fixing them.

Now you’ve understood different computer repairers specialise in different types of computers, let’s look at different types of repairs.

What type of repairs or services do you need?

Computer technicians are equipped with different sets of skills and tools that allow them to carry out certain types of repairs.

For example, if your laptop has water damage that does not turn on, a computer repairman who provides on-site services only, will not be able to repair it.

He can only outsource it to another technician who specialises in water damage repairs, or he may suggest you buy a new computer instead and offer data recovery.

Below are some different types of repairs on computers:

• Common repairs on Windows PC computers, and laptops: hard drive, solid state drive (SSD, or flash drive), RAM, power supply unit (PSU), video card replacement.
• Common repairs on Apple Mac laptops: hard drive, flash drive, RAM, screen repairs.
• More complicated repairs on Windows PC computers, and laptops: screen repairs, power charging socket repairs, keyboard, touchpad replacement etc.
• More complicated repairs on Apple Mac computers: keyboard replacement on Apple laptops with Retina display, Apple iMac screen repairs, Apple iMac power supply unit replacement etc.
• Very difficult repairs: Windows laptop motherboard repairs, or Apple logic board repairs. These are usually repairs on computers that do not turn on at all.
• Water damage repairs: water damages vary a lot. It could fall into any of the above repairs or even more complicated repairs.
• Recovering data from regular Windows computers, or from Apple Mac computers.
• Internet and network setup, printer setup, configuring emails in Apple Mail or Microsoft Outlook.
• Removing viruses, spyware from Windows computers, or Apple Mac computers.
• Do you need on-site computer services or you can bring the computer in for repairs: If you simply cannot bring your computer to a repair shop, then on-site service is your only option. This will limit your choices in picking a computer repairer.

Often there is a blurred line between these repairs. For example, a keyboard replacement for Apple MacBook laptops with Retina display could be considered very difficult too.

Which computer repairman is best to repair your computer

For each type of computer and type of repair, you’ll need a different type of computer repairmen.

If your computer is a Windows PC tower desktop computer

Most Windows PC desktop computers are easier to fix compared to laptops, and Apple Mac. Parts for Windows desktop computers are widely available and most computer shops have access to these parts.

Hence for common repairs on Windows PC computers as mentioned above (hard drive, RAM, video card, PSU replacement), data recovery, or removing viruses, or if you just want to speed up your computer, you have plenty of options to choose a computer repairer.

Unless your computer is under warranty, any local computer shops that you put in Google can help you.

You can go for one that I recommend below or one that you find suitable on Google by searching for “computer repairs near me“.

It’s simply a matter of which one you can get to easily (or which computer repairman is first available to come to you), and which one you feel comfortable dealing with.

However, if the problem is complicated, or if you need personal assistance with setting up your email, backup, the Internet and network, then you may need to opt for the most reviewed, experienced ones you can find on Google, or ones that I recommend below.

If your computer is a Windows laptop (including 2-in-1 laptops)

Windows laptops, such as HP, or Dell, Lenovo, ASUS etc are harder to fix than Windows desktop computers.

With common repairs such as hard drive, SSD, RAM replacement, virus removal, you still have plenty of options.

These are still fairly easy to repair, any computer repair shop near you or on-site technicians can help you.

Go for ones that I recommend below or ones that you find suitable on Google.

For complicated, or difficult repairs such as screen repairs, dead laptop repairs, or keyboard repairs you should opt for a local computer shop because repair shops have better access to spare parts and equipment.

It’s difficult for technicians to do such repairs onsite. He might outsource it to another repairer which adds up the final price you’re paying. Or, he may recommend you to purchase a new computer instead and offer you data recovery option.

But, if you find it hard to leave your house, by all means, hire a computer repairman to fix your computer at your place.

Or, if you need printer setup, or network setup, choosing a mobile computer technician is your best option too. I can recommend some good mobile computer technicians below.

Microsoft Surface laptops

I mention the Microsoft Surface laptop here because, if you bought the Surface computer and it needs repairs, you’re in bad luck.

Many Microsoft Surface laptops are unrepairable. I Fix It, a company that takes apart every new tech gadget and leads the charge for Rights to Repair, did a teardown on the Surface devices and rated it 0 out of 10 for repairability.

Unless your Microsoft Surface laptop has a virus issue that can be fixed by reinstalling Windows, it’ll be expensive or even impossible to fix any other issues with it.

Your options for choosing a computer repairer are limited. Onsite technicians are unlikely able to help you. Even repair shops, that have better equipment, may not be able to help you.

This is a huge problem for consumers and doesn’t help to reduce the soaring eWaste problem.

Microsoft has taken an effort and improved the design and repairability of its Surface laptops. I will update this post when I find it practical to repair Surface laptops.

If your computer is an Apple Mac, or MacBook computer

Not all computer technicians repair Apple Mac computers. Microsoft used to dominate the market at one time.

The good news is since Apple has become more popular, there are plenty of Apple Mac repairers now for you to choose from.

Apple computers are harder to be fixed, parts are more expensive. It’s not easy to repair Apple Mac at your place without spare parts and dedicated tools.

Apple MacBook laptops are even harder to repair compared to Windows laptops, or Apple iMac computers.

Perhaps, you should search for “MacBook repairs near me” instead of “computer repairs near me“. This way, you’re telling Google that “I’m specifically looking for a MacBook repairs provider near me“, not a Windows computer repairer.

Your best option is to find a local repairer who has a workshop to do repairing on Mac, MacBook computers.

Having said that, an onsite technician is a great option for personal assistance such as setting up emails, networks, data backup, and troubleshooting printers.

If you cannot bring your Apple Mac to a repair shop and at-home service is your only choice, then expect that the technician may need to take the computer away for repairs and then return it later.

Either way, many Apple Mac repairers can help you. You can go for a local, best-reviewed one you can find on Google or contact ones that I recommend below.

I used to go to customer places for many years to provide onsite computer services. This was a common procedure for hardware problems on computers, including Apple Mac.

If your computer is a Chromebook

Chromebook is similar to a Windows laptop, except that it runs on Chrome OS. Chromebook is often a lower price point.

Repairing Chromebook laptops is similar to repairing a Windows laptop.

The problem is that, because Chromebook is cheaper than most Windows laptops, many repairs are often not economical. The cost of repairing a Chromebook is often close to buying a new one.

For Chromebook, your repair options are limited. It’d be hard to find any laptop repairman that repairs Chromebook well and cheaply.

If your computer is an All-in-one computer

All-in-one (AIO) computers are computers that have all of their parts inside the “screen”. Apple iMac and Dell Inspiron 24 All-in-one are examples of this.

All-in-one computers are considered desktop computers. They are beautiful PCs and appealing to both homes and businesses.

Common repairs on AIO computers are hard drive and RAM replacement.

You can opt for onsite computer technicians or you can opt for bringing-in repair shops. Both can help you.

Keep in mind to choose between a Windows PC repairer or an Apple Mac repairer depending on which computer you have.

Onsite computer technicians can help you with email setup, Internet & network setup in addition to repairs. He will likely need to take the computer away for hardware repairs, and then drop it off after the repair has been completed.

If your computer is an iPad or tablet

Apple iPad and other tablets are personal computers, but they are very different from regular laptops or PCs.

Searching for “computer repairs near me” probably won’t give you the best options. Instead, you should search for “iPhone repairs near me”, or “iPad repairs near me”.

Most shops that fix phones will also fix tablets. These shops are much better at repairing phones and tablets than repairing computers.

I recommend you search for these shops instead of searching for “computer repairs near me”.

Onsite repairs are not possible. Apple iPad and tablet repairs are difficult and cannot be done at your place.

If you’re looking for at-home phone repairs, it won’t be easy. Possible, but not easy. I don’t recommend it.

Large shopping malls such as Westfield are good places to find these shops. You may look for the nearest shopping mall instead. There is likely a phone and tablet repair shop in the mall.

If your computer is a server

Repairing server computers is a tough one.

The technician needs to be familiar with servers. Parts for servers are expensive, its OS is harder to install.

Though a repair shop may have better equipment, I recommend you to find an onsite computer technician instead.

Computer technicians who only fix bringing-in computers are often not exposed to server computers as much as onsite technicians.

Onsite technicians, especially ones who service businesses are more experienced in dealing with servers. They have been to many companies that have servers and can assist you better.

If your laptop has water damage

Water damage is difficult to repair. If your laptop has problems such as it’s not turning on after a water spill, it likely needs a major repair (eg motherboard repairs).

Many computer repairmen (and repairwomen) will write it off.

Onsite computer technicians are unlikely able to repair it for you. Many computer repair workshops cannot help you either.

Finding a local computer repair shop that is experienced enough to do this is much harder. I don’t think Google can help you much regardless of how many reviews a shop has.

Not only that, water can leak from one place to another causing more damage than initially expected. You should ask the technician what guarantees he offers for this.

And, you can forget about manufacturers or manufacturer-authorised repair centres. Manufacturers, eg Microsoft stores, and Apple stores will not fix water-damaged laptops.

There is no point in asking manufacturers for repairs if your laptop has water damage.

When our store started repairing water-damaged laptops, it took us a while to figure out how to do the repairs properly.

There are so many unexpected issues with water damage that it’s never the same. We had to develop a testing system, and guarantee policies that would cover unforeseen problems on computers.

Now, we’ve repaired thousands of water-damaged laptops that it’s nothing new anymore.

If you need someone to rescue your dead laptop

Rescuing a laptop that is completely dead is difficult. This is a major repair and most likely a very difficult one, sometimes even impossible.

The laptop rescue specialist will need to have dedicated tools and spare parts, spare parts and it takes more than a day to do the work. These repairs simply cannot be done at your home or at office.

In my 17+ years of working in IT, I’ve never seen any technician capable of rescuing a dead laptop at customer place (unless the laptop is actually not dead).

A workshop repair is needed certainly. You need to find a computer repairs shop that will actually do repairs, not retail and have the experience to do it.

You can see the list of computer repair shops below near you.

If you need Internet network setup, email troubleshooting

For this, onsite computer technicians are your best choice.

Computer repairers who work at bringing-in-only computer shops have limited knowledge of dealing with different Internet providers, networks and email providers.

An onsite technician is exposed to all kinds of different situations that he had to figure out at customers’ places. He will know how to set up your email correctly, set up your backup and printers, and network properly.

Not to mention, these problems often must be fixed at your place, not in a shop where it’s out of your home (or office) network.

Onsite computer repairmen often cover a larger area. Hence, they can drive 20 km to you if needed.

You don’t need to worry about how they arrange their schedule. As long as they can make it, you should go for it.

If you need data recovery from your computer

A computer repairman might be able to help you with recovering data from your computer. It depends on what’s damaged in your computer.

It’s a good start to get help from a computer technician first. The technician usually can remove the hard drive from your computer to attempt data recovery.

If the hard drive (or solid state drive) is badly damaged such as it’s unrecognised by your computer, or making clicking noises, this is often beyond a computer technician’s capacity.

When your computer hard drive makes clicking noises, you’d better off search for “data recovery lab near me” instead of “computer repairs near me“, because most computer technicians do not have a “lab” to help you.

If your data is critical, getting a computer technician to open up your hard drive to attempt data recovery without sending it to a lab can actually hurt the chance of saving the data.

Find a computer repairman near you in Sydney

Since I live in Sydney and haven’t lived in other cities in Australia long enough, I can only list computer repairers that I know in Sydney area.

Also, keep in mind that I don’t include any “contractor” type computer technicians here.

This is because every time a big corporate (eg Telstra or OfficeWorks) sends you a contractor to do the work, quality varies depending on the available contractor that they have.

Computer repairs shop for Sydney inner city, Marrickville, Inner West, Eastern suburb area

For computer repairs (both Windows and Apple Mac), data recovery, email troubleshooting, speeding up computers, water-damage laptop repairs, Safemode Computer Service certainly can help you.

Having been in the computer and IT business since 2004, Safemode has repaired 40,000+ Windows and Apple Mac computers, PC desktop computers and laptops, water damage computer repairs, plus server computers as well.

For years, Safemode team have done repairs onsite (at-home or at-office computer repairs), and also has a repair workshop for you to bring your computer in 7 days a week.

Safemode’s blog covers many guides and tips for you to test and attempt at-home repairs. If you can’t figure it out and want the team to do repairs for you instead, feel free to send a message.

If your computer can’t be repaired, you can get referred to another place that might be able to help you.

Safemode can repair Windows PC computers and laptops

If your computer is a Windows computer, Safemode can fix it. The team has fixed thousands of Windows computers since the early days when Windows XP was still the norm.

Safemode can repair Apple Mac computers

When Apple Mac computers become more popular, the team started fixing Apple Mac computers.

By now, Safemode has repaired so many Apple Mac computers for over a decade. You may think that your Mac is having the strangest problem that no one has ever seen. But trust me, it’s likely that Safemode technicians have seen it many times.

All-in-one computers can be fixed here

All-in-one computers, Windows or Apple Mac are sometimes a little harder to fix. Safemode team can repair them.

Most common repairs on All-in-one PCs are hard drive, RAM replacement. Safemode technicians have done these thousands of times.

Difficult repairs such as keyboard repairs, water spill damage repairs, data recovery can be done too

Not many computer repair shops can do this. But Safemode has fixed these problems countless times.

Water-damaged laptops, dead laptops, broken keyboard laptops are brought in on almost daily basis for repairs.

It’s a one-stop-shop for all types of computer repairs, email troubleshooting, Apple Mac troubleshooting, data recovery, computer speed-up.

A big bonus is that walk-in is accepted 7 days a week, no appointment is necessary. Just come in at your convenience.

Plus, on-the-spot diagnostic and Free quote, same or next day turn-around time for most repairs depending on what time you bring in (excluding complicated and very-difficult repairs).

Safemode no longer repair Apple iPad, tablets, or any smartphones. The store now fully focuses on servicing computers only. But, see below for other places that can help you with your smartphone or tablet.

You can contact Safemode Computer Service at 1800 85 83 82 or 02 9516 2966.

At-home computer repairs for Sydney inner city, Marrickville, Inner West, Eastern suburbs

JP Can Fix It is a solid choice that I can recommend for at-home computer services. Jason Pearse is the face of the business.

The man doesn’t even advertise and solely gets businesses through customer referrals and repeat clients, which means he must be doing something right.

Being an onsite tech, JP Can Fix It covers Inner West, some Eastern suburb areas (eg Bondi, Coogee, Vaucluse, Double Bay), and some down south Sydney (Brighton-le-Sands, Sandringham).

He provides computer training, tech assistance, data backup and migration, networking, etc for both Windows, Mac, iPad, and even non-computer issues such as some home automation, TVs, or connection from laptops to cars.

JP Can Fix It doesn’t have a workshop for you to bring in so major hardware repairs aren’t his thing.

You can contact JP Can Fix It at 0414 534 551.

Computer repairs shops for Sydney Eastern suburbs

For Sydney Eastern suburbs there is a few computer repairs shop that you can take to, depending on what computer you have.

Computer repairs shop for both Windows and Apple Mac computers

Not all computer repairs shop can fix both Windows and Apple Mac, and also do difficult repairs such as water-damaged laptops, in-store or at home / office.

Safemode Computer Service can help you with all of these.

The computer technicians at Safemode Computer Service is experienced with difficult repairs such as replacing keyboards in Apple MacBook 12″ Retina, Apple MacBook Air or Apple MacBook Pro Retina-display laptops and fixing water-damaged laptops.

If your computer is an All-in-one computers (eg Apple iMac, Dell Inspiron 24 or 27), or if you need help with your email, web hosting, small business IT support, Safemode Computer Service can help too.

You can contact Safemode Computer Service at 1800 85 83 82 or 02 9516 2966.

Apple authorized service center in Kingsford

Max Computing Services in Kingsford is an Apple authorized service center, and you should look for them.

Max Computer Services specializes in Apple Mac computers. Being an Apple authorized service center, you can get your Apple Mac fixed here under warranty or Apple Care for Free or at a discounted price.

You’re guaranteed to get genuine Apple spare parts, plus friendly and accommodating services.

The store has a simplistic design with just a handful of accessories on display.

An appointment at Apple store could be weeks away. Personally, I’d avoid going to Apple store if possible. I suggest you go to Max Computing instead of Apple store.

Note that Max Computing Services only fixes Apple Mac computers, not Windows computers. They cannot do repairs on water-damaged Apple Mac (or limited services).

You can contact Max Computing Services at 02 9011 5590 or 02 9045 0337.

Apple Mac computer repairs shop for South Sydney area

Idealstore Hurstville is another place to look out for.

Idealstore is an Apple-authorized service center which means they can provide repairs for Mac computers that are under warranty or Apple Care using Apple genuine spare parts.

The store is nice and clean with friendly services. They also have Apple accessories but not as many as in the photos from the last time I’ve seen.

They are “one of Australia’s longest-running Apple Resellers and Authorized Service Centers” and can fix not just Mac computers, but also Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Beats products etc.

Note that Idealstore only fixes Apple Mac computers, not Windows computers. They cannot do repairs on water-damaged Apple Mac (or limited services).

You can contact Idealstore at 02 9570 5411.

Apple iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones and tablet repairs shop in Marrickville, Inner west

FixPod is one to check out.

Though this post is mainly about computers, I’ll include a place for smartphone and tablet repairs anyway.

FixPod has been fixing Apple iPhone, iPad, other smartphones, and tablets since late 2008. They used to be in Broadway and are now in Marrickville.

The repair workshop is designed to fully focus on repairs which makes them excellent at repairing gadgets.

When you see a repair shop designed to be repair-focused, not retail-focused, you know they’re good at repairs and repairs only.

Pricing could not be more straightforward. Every device they fix is listed with make, model, and price on their website.

I’ve also had some iPhones fixed at their store and had a good experience every time.

Just look at their reviews, it’s insane! I know the reviews are genuine and I’ve used their services several times for my phones.

You can contact FixPod at 1300 349 763 or 0422 300 400.

Computer repairs shop for South Sydney area

Reliable Computer in Oatley NSW has been in the computer IT business for 10+ years.

They work on both Windows and Apple Mac computers.

Reliable Computer is not an Apple-authorized server center hence they cannot work on Apple computers that are under warranty or Apple Care.

They also won Excellence in Customer Service award, though it was all the way back in 2010.

Their store has some retail accessories but is mainly repair-focused.

This means they will do their best to repair your computer, not telling you that your computer is not worth fixing and encouraging you to buy a new one.

You can contact Reliable Computer on 1800 753 991.

Computer retailer in Sydney North Shore

Scorptec is a popular computer retailer store. I’m not so sure I’d recommend Scorptec for repairs though because they are more well known as a retailer.

Certainly, many of our customers had told me that they bought their computers from Scorptec. As a retailer, they are not bad at all. Their prices are good. Click and collect process is easy though there had been some complaints.

For repairs, I don’t think they are well known for repairs. It’s not their core business. They only repair if it’s a computer part under their warranty. And I’ve heard (many times) their repair process and warranty claim was not always pleasant. This is typical for retailers who are not specialized in repairs.

I’ll let you decide for yourself.

Computer retailer in Inner West

OK, here is a hidden gem that you may not know – IJK Computers in Enfield.

IJK is a computer retailer, not a repair centre. Their computer parts and PC prices are excellent with a wide range, kind of messy but also fun to browse, like visiting Paddy’s Market, but for computers.

I wasn’t going to mention them, because I’m writing about computer repairs shop here, but IJK is worth mentioning as a computer retailer.

Their website is outdated and could be updated for a better modern look. But, if you’re a computer enthusiast, and want a balance of good prices and good services, IJK does just that.

Guess what, they have dedicated customer parking too, and it’s super easy to find parking whenever I get there.

What IJK impresses me the most is its efficient online process: you place an order, the order is processed quickly and you get notified to pick up; you turn up, and the order will be handed to you quickly.

Warranty-wise, I myself haven’t got any issues with them. But this could be different for you depending on what problem you have with your computer.

You can contact IJK Computers at 02 9745 0877.

Don’t forget Apple stores, Samsung stores and Microsoft store

Of course, Apple stores, Samsung stores and Microsoft store cannot be excluded.

Though, I’m not a fan of recommending these US companies. I prefer recommending local Australian companies.

Microsoft and Samsung stores are both located in Sydney CBD. Samsung has another store in Parramatta.

If your Microsoft Surface device is broken, repair options are limited but you can always contact Microsoft store.

If you support local businesses, go for a local computer repairs shop instead. If you have no other choices, visit Apple or Microsoft stores. Just keep in mind that your money will go to these deep-pocket US giants.

More coming …

More stores or businesses will be included in this post after I’ve visited more stores or learned more about their business.

If you know a good computer repairer in other cities, feel free to leave a comment below for me to do research on and include in this post.

Should I repair or replace my computer?

As computer technician who has seen so many computers and done thousands of computer repairs, I’ve certainly been asked “Is my computer worth fixing, or should I just buy a new one?” many times.

When it comes to “Repairs VS Replace”, some think you should repair while others think you should replace.

So what’s my answer to the inevitable question? Most of the times, my answer is “you should repair it”.

Because, more often than not, the overall cost of fixing a computer is lower than buying a new one.

I myself use a 9-year-old laptop for home, and a 7-year-old laptop for work. Trust me, I’m tech savvy, I want my computers to be fast and reliable. When I click on an app, I expect it to open immediately.

With the right tweak, your “old” computer can do more than what you need. Most of us are not Hollywood movie makers after all.

But, there are times when you should consider replacing.

After 8-10 years of use, the computer will become incompatible with newer operating systems, and are unable to be upgraded.

The system may still work, but will lose support from the manufacturers as they consider these devices as obsolete. We’ll cover more about this later.

This might be quite unusual, but we do know of a lot of people who hang on to their old computers way past its 10-year lifespan. We’ve seen a lot of computer users still using old laptops running on Windows Vista or Windows XP.

These are mostly for sentimental reasons or that they are simply used to its interface and OS. If the device works, this is completely fine.

The downside is, these computers are considered outmoded, so they are quite difficult to fix. So you might want to consider how long you’ve had the laptop before you decide to buy a new one to replace it.

Is my computer worth fixing though?

One thing to know though, repairing your computer can’t be more expensive than buying a new one.

In the above infographic, I’ve taken an example of purchasing a decent computer that costs $1,500 (AUD) to buy as a new unit.

Even assuming that the worst case scenario of repair options, that the computer is unreliable and needs 2 major repairs within 4 years, it’s still $900 less than replacing it.

This is also assuming the best case scenario of replacing: the computer works flawlessly for 4 years, which is unlikely.

If you only need replacement repairs like a cracked laptop screen or battery replacement, think of it this way: These faulty parts don’t have much to do with the laptop’s performance, so all you need to do is replace them and the laptop will be good as new.

Most repair services can also help you upgrade your computer as well, if you’re looking to enhance its performance.

When faced with certain more expensive repairs like motherboard replacement, you may need to re-consider and ask whether this fix is worth it or not.

Useful computer upgrades for better performance

As we’ve mentioned above, the overall cost of repairing or upgrading a laptop or desktop computer shouldn’t be more than buying a new one. There’s nothing more disappointing than finding out that your new laptop isn’t as powerful as you thought.

If you’re looking for a bit of a boost for your current laptop that you’ve had for a while, you could look into upgrading its hardware.

This could get your computer to perform much better than it ever has, and possibly give it a longer lifespan as well. Here are a few computer upgrade options for both laptop and desktop computers that you can consider.

Replacing HDD with SSD

Solid-state drives, also known as flash storage, have gradually become a known standard for a lot of newer laptop and desktop computers. They are much more durable compared to traditional hard disk drives, as HDDs contain moving machinery and SSDs don’t.

Performance-wise, SSDs definitely win the race. SSDs can deliver speeds up to 16 times faster than an HDD, and don’t draw as much power as well. They run on NAND memory chips, which aren’t as fragile as the spinning disks inside hard drives.

Because of its durability and great performance, an SSD upgrade has become quite a popular computer upgrade.

While they often cost a bit more than traditional hard drives, upgrading to an SSD can deliver you great benefits.

This upgrade works for both laptops and desktop computers. If you’re used to a large amount of space on your desktop, you can use the SSD as the primary drive, and a bigger 3.5-inch hard drive for secondary storage.

You may also try using the two drives as a hybrid drive, which requires a little bit of software configuring first.

Blazing fast with NVMe SSD

NVMe SSDs have been around for some years. There were expensive in their early days. Now they have become affordable and installed in most new computers.

How fast?

With NVMe SSD installed, whenever you click on Google Chrome web browser or Microsoft Edge web browser, it will open up instantly. Opening Microsoft Outlook takes about 2 seconds. Opening Microsoft Word or Excel takes about 2 or 3 seconds.

If your computer supports the latest NVMe SSD, and you opt for premium ones such as Samsung or Intel, it will be even faster.

Just ask any computer enthusiasts, they will tell you that they have NVMe SSD installed on their computers. It’s incredibly pleasant to use your computer with NVMe SSD installed as the main drive.

Quick note: many Apple computers and new Windows laptops nowaday come with NVMe SSD installed.

Adding more RAM to your computer

Having more RAM capacity can boost your computer’s multitasking capabilities. The amount of RAM you have determines how much data can be temporarily stored there while you’re working on it.

You’ll get a smoother computing experience if you have more RAM, where data can be readily accessed from it.

4GB is usually the bare minimum for normal functioning, and 8GB is the recommended capacity for basic tasks.

Upgrading to 16GB of RAM would be useful if you do graphics or video editing work. This upgrade could make things run smoother for you.

That said though, you might not need a RAM upgrade if you already are upgrading to an SSD. An SSD is already fast enough for multitasking purposes.

Can my old computer handle the latest apps?

In most cases, Yes!

Unless you use your computer for professional movie editing, your 8 year-old computer can do more than what you need. It just needs the right tweak and changes to be lightning fast.

Most of us use computers for email, word pressing, web browsing, videos. As long as your computer is not a $300 entry level one, it will be able to run fast and do all you need it to do, provided that it has the right upgrades for it.

What a trusted repair service can do for you

If you do decide to repair or upgrade your computer, make sure you also find the right repair service for you. Feel free to shop around for quotes, and see what kind of repair services that they offer.

As experienced repair technicians, we offer tech consulting if you bring your computer in with us.

We can find the right repair and upgrade options based on your computing needs. Depending on how you use the computer, how much storage you need, and the issues related to the specific model, we’ll recommend repair and upgrade options that are right for you.

Future proofing is also something we keep in mind when considering your repair options.

Certain software or apps require a specific set of hardware specs. So by letting your friendly repair tech know what you do with your computer, they’ll be able to match your hardware to the software requirements.

When to replace your computer

A computer can last up to 8-10 years, this we know. Once the computer’s hardware and software have become incompatible with the mainstream, it might be time to let it go.

When a computer has become so old, the spare parts and tools needed to fix it are less available. Not to mention how hard it will be to fix.

If you do decide to get rid of your computer and buy a new one instead, don’t forget to dispose of the old one correctly.

Throwing it away in the trash will just create e-waste, which contains toxic and hazardous materials that will just pile up in a landfill. Instead of throwing it away, you could arrange an e-waste council collection or drop it off at a collection depot.

Trading in your old computer is also an option. Computer repair shops often take in old computers for refurbishment or for their spare parts. Plus, you might be able to get some money out of it as well.

Your laptop data can be rescued without fixing the computer

It’s more than likely that your data can be rescued without your computer getting repaired.

Rescuing your data is different from repairing the laptop. Our laptop rescue experts can recover your data onto an external hard drive in most cases, even without fixing your computer.

However, there is always a chance of data loss when your computer breaks down. Having a regular backup is always recommended.

Planned obsolescence?

Many computers still work after 10 years, amazingly well in facts. But why are we forced to replace it?

Could this be “planned obsolescence” forced by big tech companies like Microsoft and Apple?

If the computer is working so well, what’s the reason to ditch it?

Yes, you could say it’s “planned obsolescence”, but it might be a necessary one.

Technology needs to progress to achieve innovation. And when it does, old ones become obsolete. And we all need innovation.

Having said that, if your old computer serves you well and does what you need, do you really need the latest, most innovative technology that you may actually never use?

Or are you just buying the latest iPhone but never use it to its full “innovative” potential?

I dare to say that most of us buy a new computer, or a new smart phone because we want it, not because we need it.

Make no mistake, I’m guilty of this as well.

My new OPPO phone has all the cool features and amazing LED display, even though my 2 year-old Huawei phone was still perfectly working before I replaced it.

Though, my Dell Latitude work laptop is 7 years old, my MacBook Pro home laptop is 9 years old. Both have been working so well. The Dell even survived a major coffee spill on its keyboard without a glitch.

Being a tech person, I use all the latest apps, tech tools in the market. I also use Adobe Photoshop on my Dell laptop, and often have multiple web browser tabs open. I don’t expect to lose any productivity.

I don’t want to wait for my computer to open anything. When I click on Google Chrome browser, I expect it to open quickly, with little to none waiting time.

Both laptops can handle these tools perfectly. This is an example that old hardware still can handle many of the latest apps.

You don’t really have to get the latest hardware to handle the latest software.

Computer advice at Safemode Computer Service

Need a bit of computer repair advice? Still unsure about getting your laptop or desktop computer fixed? We’re here to help.

Our expert technicians at Safemode Computer Service in Enmore are always happy to assist you with any computer repairs that you need, from hard drive failures, to laptop screen replacements, for both Windows and Apple. Find us in Inner West Sydney, or call us today!

6 Reasons Why My Computer is Slow and How to Troubleshoot

Have you ever asked yourself at least one of these questions? Why is my computer suddenly slow? Why is my computer slow to respond? Why is my omputer slow in starting up, slow to load, slow for no reason, slow in the first 1o minutes, even slow but has plenty of memory?! Trust me, you’re not alone. As a professional computer repairer, I see this problem every week.

Slow performance is a very common and inescapable issue for both Windows and Apple computer users who have owned their computers for quite a while. It can be caused by a range of things.

In this post, I’ll explain what causes the computer to slow down, and what can be done to troubleshoot your suddenly slow computer, how to clean up a slow computer, and make it fast again, or even much faster.

Finding that your computer can’t keep up while you’re trying to get things done is always an annoying problem.

But, understand this: parts inside your computer do wear out. Yes, your computer ages, just like the tyre in your car. When it does, it slows down, or freezes.

Though, slowness can also be caused by software issues such as virus or having too many startup programs.

3. Virus infection – common reason as to why computer is slow

Getting a virus can get you a lot of trouble. Besides the malicious things like stealing data and corrupting files, viruses also run as a background process.

And as we already know, background processes take up RAM space and adds to your computer’s workload whether it likes it or now. And this is a background process that you might not be able to find on Task Manager.

How do I know if my computer has a virus?

Trust me, you’ll know it when it happens.

Most viruses don’t sit quietly. It will be “in your face”: random inappropriate pop-up ads, changes to Chrome homepages, or random webpage redirects that you have no control over. Showing your computer have 200+ issues that need urgent fixing, and it’ll ask you to fork out credit card to fix it.

Getting a computer virus is like catching a serious cold: you’ll be lying flat on your bed with aches all over your body.

Having an antivirus software and be careful on the web can help you avoid getting your computer infected with a virus.

Having an antivirus by no means guarantee that your computer will never get viruses. It’s like police fighting criminals, there will always be criminal.

In fact, the best antivirus is “self-awareness“. understanding what a computer virus is and how it gets into your computer will be your best option to prevent it.

If you take enough caution to prevent virus from getting into your computer in the first place, you won’t have to find ways to remove viruses from your computer at all!

Just to tell you, I myself have no antivirus software on my own Dell work laptop, nor in my home Apple laptop. Knowing how to clean up viruses yourself (which is hard to do) is an excellent way to troubleshoot slow computer.

Being a computer technician, an IT guy, I can swim amongst the crocodiles without getting eaten.

4. Worn out or faulty hardware – The most common reason why computer is slow

After you’ve owned your laptop or desktop computer for a while, certain components will show signs of failure. Hardware repairs are the most common problem that we see with our customers’ computers.

You know that your car tyre will wear out, because you see it moving. The same goes with certain parts in your computer, but you don’t see it.

This can be caused by physical damage or natural wear and tear. Even if the device can last long, its performance will eventually deteriorate. Hardware failures in components like the hard drive or processor can cause the computer to slow down.

Quite often, a slow computer is caused by a hard drive failure. The OS boots and operates out of the hard drive, and a damaged hard drive can cause slow read and write times. An accumulation of bad sectors makes things harder for the hard drive to work properly as usual.

The fact is that, worn out hardware is the most common reason that slows down your computer. Knowing how to troubleshoot this will help fixing it. Clean up software cannot help fix a slow computer in this case.

To speed up your computer, the worn out or faulty part will need to be replaced or even better, upgraded.

Hardware replacement or upgrades to significantly speed up your computer

Almost every year, tech manufacturers release new models of their products. More memory, faster processing time, newer generation of chips etc.

Just by installing the correct parts for your computer, it will speed it up significantly. When I say “significantly”, I mean, it could fly.

There are a few hardware replacement or upgrades you can do to speed up your computer. Investing in hardware upgrades will outperform all other methods to clean up your slow computer.

They each come with their own benefits that apply to different kinds of computing uses and experiences. With this, consider each upgrade with reference to what you want to find the right upgrade for you.

CPU

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is known as the brain of the entire computer. It is where instructions and calculations are made and executed. The CPU makes decisions and tells the other components what to do with electronic signals sent out via the motherboard.

The processor’s speed is represented with its IPS, that is instructions per speed. IPS is calculated by putting the processor’s clock rate (in hertz) and its IPC (instructions per clock). You can find out your CPU’s performance by running benchmark tests.

One thing that affects the performance of the CPU is the number processor cores it uses. These days, consumer-grade CPUs usually come in dual-core or quad-core processors. The more processor cores it makes use of, the more workload the CPU can handle.

There are also different types of CPU you can choose from. This includes Intel Celeron, Pentium, i3, i5, i7, and so on. Upgrading from Intel Celeron or Pentium to an i5 or i7 processor could get you a significant boost. If you’re only looking to upgrade from i5 to i7, there wouldn’t be much of a difference in performance.

If you are looking to upgrade your CPU, be sure to note that you can only do so with a Windows desktop computer.

Laptops have their CPU built onto the motherboard, so it’s impossible to just take the CPU out. Getting a CPU upgrade that is compatible with your desktop computer is also important.

While a CPU upgrade might seem like an easy choice to speed up your computer, options are quite limited and expensive as well. Upgrading the CPU to troubleshoot slow computer is a good method, but not always the best one.

GPU / Video card – Effective to troubleshoot slow computer for graphic design professionals

GPU (graphics processing unit) upgrades can greatly benefits users who are keen on gaming or graphics editing. The GPU works to create images on a display, and more so to manipulate computer graphics and image processing.

So if you use your computer largely for gaming or graphics editing, you may want to look into getting a more powerful video card to support your computing needs. Playing games on a weaker graphics card can slow down the display and possibly disrupt your gaming experience.

Like the CPU, laptop video cards are usually embedded on the motherboard. So you can only upgrade your video card if you have a Windows desktop computer. Video cards that are more powerful will draw more power, so you might have to upgrade your power supply to support it.

RAM – Effective, more cost-effective way to troubleshoot slow computer problem for multitaskers

Computer memory RAM is important for multitasking, heavy graphic design software users. Upgrading RAM is a great, cost effective way to troubleshoow slow computer for these users.

RAM makes use of volatile memory chips for almost instant access of data that you might need while working on something.

This helps to keep things at the ready, rather than your system having to read from the hard drive all the time. So while you have different apps and windows open, the data you may need is readily stored in your computer’s memory.

As RAM comes in set capacities, you may find that need more memory for larger multitasking capabilities. Here are some common RAM capacities, together with its intended use.

• 4GB — bare minimum for daily personal use
• 8GB — recommended amount for personal use
• 16GB — for high graphics use, photo editing software
• 32GB and more — for movie editing and more

If you do a lot of multitasking, getting a RAM upgrade can get you a 30% performance boost. Before you do, you may also want to check whether your RAM comes in separate chips or is built onto the motherboard. You may add more chips in if they are separate from the motherboard.

Hard drive replacement

Hard drives are notorious for being a common computer issue. They don’t last very long and will fail over time. Its performance goes down and may even stop working.

Traditional hard drives contain spinning parts to read and write data. This delicate machinery can be prone to physical damage and bad sectors that causes hard drive failure.

While bad sectors do sound a bit intimidating, its something that all hard drives have. Nothing’s perfect, and so is the case for the hard drive manufacturing process. Even brand new hard drives come with a tiny amount of bad sectors, and they will accumulate over time.

When bad sectors on a drive accumulates to an intolerable point, the drive will start to fail. This will become noticeable if you start noticing slow boot up times or long response times from apps.

You can refresh your system by getting a new drive, preferably a better performing one if you want. A hard drive replacement is one of the most effective and quickest way to refresh and speed up your computer, you can even do it yourself easily!

Want to learn more about why hard drives fail and how to repair them? Learn more about hard drive error signs and how to test your hard drive for issues in our guide “Top 8 hard drive issues and how to fix them yourself“.

Switching to a solid-state drive (SSD) – One of the best ways to troubleshoot slow computer instead of simple “clean up”

For the best of both worlds, consider an SSD upgrade. SSDs are better for both durability and performance, offering things that a traditional HDD can’t. It makes use of non-volatile NAND memory, which does not require moving parts to operate.

This lowers the risk of accidental physical damage, which makes it longer-lasting than HDDs.

Switching to an SSD from an HDD is a very popular upgrade solution these days as a quick performance boost. In fact, upgrading to SSD is the best way to troubleshoot slow computer problem, better than all “how to clean up slow computer” methods.

It can offer speeds up to 16 times faster than an HDD, which is a huge boost for performance.

Along with hard drive replacements, SSD upgrades can be a quick and worthwhile solution to slow laptops or desktop computers. However, if you’re thinking about getting an SSD upgrade together with a RAM upgrade, it might not be necessary.

SSDs are already fast enough for multitasking and other uses that RAM assists with, so you might not even need that much more RAM along with the SSD.

If you want your computer to fly, achieve monster productivity, you should seriously consider upgrading to SSD.

6. Water damage

Yes, water damages can make your computer slow too.

For example, water can damage SMC controller in an Apple Mac laptop, causing it failing to read temperature from certain parts. When this happens, the laptop throttles its CPU which slows down the computer.

And, it’s not just “water”, it can be humidity.

Moisture in the air can partially turn into water and causes the damages, or even kill your computer.

There were some weeks when it rained heavily everyday, the weather was wet. We saw dead laptops, slow computers coming in on daily basis.

Or, water leak may have happened and you didn’t know it.

For example, you had your laptop screen lid up, and water was leaking to it from behind. The screen blocked the view so you didn’t notice.

Computers like Apple Mac laptops have ventilation under the screen hinge cover. Hence, water leaking from behind will go straight into its internal components and causes damages.

If your computer had water damages, it’s harder to tell if the slowness was caused by water, or by aging computer.

Here is some troubleshooting tips that you can try yourself, at home:

Checking your computer for possible problems

Running diagnostics on your computer from time to time can be helpful even if your computer is running fine.

You might also be able to find out why your laptop or desktop computer is running slower than usual, if it turns out to be a hardware issue.

Simple apps like chkdsk can help you detect and repair bad sectors, while full diagnostics tests or dedicated hardware analysis software can help you do more than simple tests.

Running diagnostics on your laptop or desktop computer

Your computer should come with built-in apps specific to its brand that you can use to run full diagnostics on hardware. These are apps like Dell SupportAssist or HP Support Assistant. This offers specific tests and solutions tailored to your model of computer.

Dell forum, or Apple community are also a good source to get answers without leaving your house.

Otherwise, you may also choose to run diagnostics from startup, also known as boot diagnostics, or pre-boot diagnostics.

You can enter boot diagnostics by entering a key specific to your computer’s brand. For Dell it’s For Dell it’s “F12”, “ESC” key for HP, “Enter” key for Lenovo ThinkPad laptops and Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop computers, and “D” key for Apple Macs.

Unfortunately, some computers don’t come with built-in diagnostic tools: Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, Razer, Clevo, and Lenovo IdeaPads.

Don’t you hate it when they don’t make these tools built-in.

Your system will report possible hardware issues found on components such as the fan, processor, or hard drive. Your slow computer problem could be traced back to hardware issues, or simply some other software problems.

Getting professional help to troubleshoot your slow computer

Finding yourself not so technologically adept? Don’t have the time to do more research? Getting professional repair services from a technician might be what you’re thinking about doing.

You can get help from an authorised service centre or a third-party service. Or, simply getting advice from an experienced retailer can also be beneficial.

For authorised service centres, they can usually offer free computer servicing if your device is still covered by warranty or care. While an authorised service centre can get you specialised services, they might not be able to fix your device if it is too old or offer upgrade services.

Some might choose to go to a third-party repair service instead, if their warranty has run out, or they might not live close enough to a service centre.

If you’re looking for expert technical help in Inner West Sydney, our technicians at Safemode Computer Service can definitely be of service. We fix both desktop computers and laptops, Windows and Apple Mac computers.

We can help you find the right upgrade option for you, as well as any computer issues that you might be facing. This includes virus spyware removal, or data recovery. Come by our Inner West store for our highly rated services today.

Learn more about our award-winning computer repairs.

7 best tools to test your broken computer (The best one is FREE)

How do you know what’s wrong with your computer? How do you test, diagnose your broken computer, laptop or Apple Mac computer and find out what’s wrong with it? What tools should you use? I’ll share with you 7 tools that professional computer technicians use to test computers on daily basis. We ourselves use these everyday.

You may think that professional computer repairers have better tools than the average computer consumers. The answer is Yes and No. Professional computer technicians do have access to better tools on regular basis, but it’s not as you think.

Sure, most people are aware that the Apple genius bar tech guys have advanced diagnostic tools that Apple made to test Apple computers. What about other repairers?

As a professional computer technician for over 15 years, I can share with you some lessons here.

Though, some are not really “tools”, but I’ll mention them anyway. And, the very best tool is 100% FREE. Yes, FREE!!!

1. A working OS running on USB device

This one is a must! We use it everyday for both laptop repairs and Apple repairs. Every technician must have it. Apple genius bar tech have it. Though, they used to have it on USB devices, they now run it over their internal network.

Our store doesn’t have the luxury of running it over our own network, so we still use USB devices, which is more than enough.

Having a fully functional OS (being Windows or macOS) on a USB device is extremely handy. It can help you:

• Diagnose if a problem is a software issue or a hardware issue.
• Quickly test a computer using a known working OS without the needs to reinstall OS on the hard drive inside the computer.
• Perform certain type of data recovery, this is extremely handy.
• Test other parts of a computer when the original OS does not boot.
• Test the internal hard drive of a computer if its OS does not boot.
• Do certain tests on a computer because we have already had the testing tools pre-installed in the USB device.

The tricky part is to create this working OS on USB itself. It’s not always easy to make one. And, after you’ve made one, it’s not always stable and you’ll need to rebuild it occasionally.

Another issue is, after 1-3 years, software vendors have released new updates and the tool that you created originally has become outdated. You will need to go through the learning process again to make a new one. Generally, this is not worth the effort for a normal computer user who only needs it once in a while.

2. Spare parts

Having spare parts handy is critical for any computer shops. It can be a spare charger, spare RAM or video card. It’s often needed. You can make assumption that a problem would be a faulty RAM or faulty PSU. The best way to find out is to install a spare working RAM or working PSU. Access to spare parts is what often make computer repairers “better” than the average user

Having said that, many customers expect computer technicians to install spare parts to confirm if the original part is faulty. I get asked “Have you tried another motherboard?”, or “Have you tried another CPU?” a lot.

When I heard this, it frustrates me. Apparently the person doesn’t understand computers (I don’t expect him /her to anyway).

It’s a lot of time and effort to try another motherboard. It’s like asking a builder to build the whole house for you to see then you’ll decide if you want to buy it.

For the CPU, some are easy to replace, some are more difficult. But there are hundreds of different types of CPUs and they are expensive. Every year, there are new generation of CPUs. They are not interchangeable. It’s not practical to purchase each type of CPU, just for the sake of installing it to test a computer.

And, often you will need to have working motherboard, RAM, PSU, hard drive and a working OS, then, you can start running CPU stress test. That’s not to mention, the CPU stress test is not even accurate. That’s a lot of costs and work to do just to test a CPU, not worth it.

In contrast, computer technicians avoid using spare parts if all possible. Why? Because it’s very time consuming. Installing a spare part often involves some disassembly of a computer, temporarily installing another part to check. You’ll have more chances of accidentally break something during that process.

Using spare parts is important for many repairs. But the rule is, we’ll try spare parts if it’s an easy one to try such as charger, sometimes RAM or PSU. For most, we’ll always avoid it if we can, even though many customers want us to try spare parts as a confirmation. We more than often have to say no to spare parts during testing process.

3. A multimeter

Absolutely! A multimeter is very useful. Yet, it surprises me that many don’t think that computer technicians would use a multimeter.

“Have you tried another charger?”, or “Have you tried another motherboard?, or “Have you tried …” whatever it is.

Well, if I can use a $30 multimeter, and it’d save me the cost of carrying stock for spare parts, save me the time of installing a spare part to diagnose a problem, I’d definitely use a multimeter.

A multimeter will show if a charger is outputting 19V as it should, or if the motherboard is receiving power. Its reading is black and white most the the times. There are hundreds of types of chargers, PSU that costs $$$ to buy, taking up spaces to stock. While one single multimeter can test most of it. It’s easy to use, it’s cheap, it’s light. Why would a technician not prefer using it.

And you don’t need to disassemble a laptop (or just minimal disassembly) to use a multimeter for testing, if you know how-to.

4. Built-in hardware diagnostic tools

This one is a no-brainer. Everyone should use this. Many computers have built-in diagnostic tools, namely Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple.

Some makes don’t have this: Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, some Lenovo models. It’s annoying actually that these manufacturers choose not to build this.

Though, the built-in diagnostic tools are not always accurate, it’s good as a complementary tool to help you narrow down the problem, or to confirm what you’ve suspected to be faulty.

To use this tool, your computer needs to at least power on. You can access these tools by using keyboard shortcut:

• On an Apple computer, including laptops, iMac, Mac mini, press and hold D at startup.
• On a Dell computer and laptop, press F12 at startup.
• On a Lenovo desktop or laptop, press Enter (or F12 on some model) at startup. Though, many Lenovo IdeaPad and Lenovo Yoga don’t have this.
• On a HP desktop or laptop computer, press ESC at startup.

5. Check Event Log/Error code

100% you should check Event Log or Error code. It is one of the best way to find out more about a problem.

It’s like Sherlock Holmes trying to track down the criminal. When a crime is committed, there are often more than one evidences. Similarly, by the time your computer crashed, a number of error log events or error codes had been previously logged by the system.

If you find a number of errors or event logs that tell you that a part, say the hard drive, is corrupted, and the hard drive is now showing symptoms that it’s failing. Putting these puzzle pieces together, it’s a clear confirmation that the hard drive is indeed failing and must be replaced.

The tricky part is knowing how to read the event log, and error codes. The computer often doesn’t just log errors that you need to know, it logs hundreds, if not thousands of errors, many of which are not actually problems (eg removing a USB device from your computer may generate an error log event).

Error codes such as Blue Screen of Death error codes are very handy to track down the issue.

The problem is that, the Internet is full of nonsense articles about “How to fix…” these blue screen errors. Most of these articles are written to sell you something else rather than fixing your computer. They are not written to benefit the computer user who experiences the problem.

6. MemTest, GPU/CPU stress test, HDD test

MemTest RAM test, GPU (graphics processing unit, or video card) or CPU (or processor) stress tests, HDD (or hard disk drive) test are not always accurate, but good to have. If your computer RAM fails the test, it is definitely faulty and must be replaced.

The problem is that these testing tools are not always accurate. Probably MemTest is the one that I (kind of) use the most (still, I wouldn’t count on it). Many faulty video cards will pass the test. However, you can run the tests multiple times, if it crashes just once, then it’s confirmed that the part is faulty.

Another downside is that, the test is time consuming.

You will need to have it readily available, pre-made on a USB device to start the tests. Each test will take 15, 30 minutes to 1+ hours, You will need to repeat the tests multiple times until it comes up with an error. And, it may never come up with errors at all leaving you unsure if the part is actually faulty.

Thus, like using spare parts, I would avoid this if I can.

The interesting thing is that, these tests are the customer’s favourite. “Have you tested it?”, “How do you know it’s faulty?”. Customers want to see these credible-looking testing tools.

When I show customers some random moving numbers on the screen that they have no idea what it is, they think “it must be good!”, simply because it looks like it’s come out from some sort of alien-DNA-testing-lab.

Customer are amazed when seeing these tests, they absolutely love & trust it.

But, for your benefits of testing your own computer: these tests can be inaccurate and misleading, and it takes a lot of time. Use it as “advisory” only.

7. By far, the best tool, and it’s FREE: Experience

Of course it is. Sorry to disappoint you. You were hoping for some magical, easy-to-use, bombshell secret. No, it’s just plain and simple: Experience.

It’s Free, it’s instant, it sets the pros and the novice apart. It’s years of learning, doing, mastering the skills.

In every profession, a policeman, a doctor, a builder, a lawyer, a barista, a soldier, a businessman, whatever it is, experience plays an important role.

Yet, it strikes me how many customers don’t think experience helps computer technicians to identify what a problem may be with their computers.

Think about a time that you were sick, you went to see your doctor. He didn’t just immediately cut you open, asked you to do blood test, Xray, to tell you that you have some sickness, did he?

No, he asked you what symptoms that you’ve had, how long you’ve had it, how often it happened, etc. Through observation, your doctor could have a really good idea of what it could be. Often he just needs a quick check, then he tells you to get some prescription.

It is no different for a computer repairer.

Through observation, an experienced technician could tell a lot about what the issue might be with your computer: the design of the computer, the model, the “symptoms”, the age of the computer, error codes, what he’s seen about that computer model, pretty much a sum up of all of the above 6 tools in one person’s brain.

With today technology, users are expecting some magical tool that you can plug it in, and it will tell you everything wrong in the computer.

Reality is, such tool doesn’t exist, a lot of it relies on human experience. I’m not saying experience is always correct, I’ve fixed thousands of computers, and I make the wrong diagnostic every now and then. It’s not always straight forward simple. But the same goes with any other profession.

Yet, telling a customer that his/her computer has a failing hard drive based on my experience and observation, often sounds like an unconvincing thing that needs lots of explanation, education, assurance.

But if I show the hard drive test, or the built-in diagnostic tools, which are highly inaccurate and time consuming, then it immediately makes the customer believe what I’ve told him/her.

Technology has driven consumers to believe that pressing some keys on their computer will return certain results on their computer screen, telling them what they want to see/believe. It’s not always the case.

Expertise, experience should be by far the best “tool” to test a computer, but this should be kept for the computer repairer to know only. The consumers need to see what they want to see, which is the testing tools that show some random jargon numbers, and since they don’t understand it, then it must be correct.

Conclusion

There you have it. That’s 7 best tools to test, diagnose a broken computer. Some are Free or cheap. Some aren’t easy to get for computer consumers:

1 – A working OS running on USB device

Absolutely essential tool that every computer repairer has. This is very handy to test both software, hardware issue, do data recovery etc.

2 – Spare parts

Not easy to have access to unless you are a computer technician with a workshop. Having spare parts is necessary to test certain computer parts for elimination process and narrow down the problem.

3 – A multimeter

Cheap, lightweight, doesn’t take space. A multimeter is very handy and a must-have for every computer technician or enthusiast.

4 – Built-in hardware diagnostic tools

Most computer manufacturers already offer this, except: Acer, ASUS, Toshiba, Clevo, Razer, and some Lenovo models.

5 – Check Event Log/Error code

Part of Windows system. Very handy to trace back error codes. But not easy to read and understand as a consumer. These are for tech savvy people only.

6 – MemTest, GPU/CPU stress test, HDD test

These are all free tools that you can download from the Internet or from manufacturer websites. Handy for DIY but can be inaccurate at times and time-consuming.

7 – By far, the best tool, and it’s Free: Experience

In every industry, experience matters. Through observation, and experience, an experienced computer technician can have a good idea of what the problem might be, even before testing further.