Why my computer is slow and how to troubleshoot them

1. Too many startup programs

Having too many apps that launch at startup can slow down your computer. This is one of the first steps, and easiest one to troubleshoot slow computer. “How to clean up a slow computer” is a question that I got asked by many customers.

They are called “bloatware“. Companies bid their way to show their apps in front of users. For example, when you purchase a new computer, it comes with pre-installed McAfee LiveSafe, or NetFlix app.

Some apps have a higher level of impact on the startup process and may take longer for the processor and boot drive to work things out. Programs like antivirus or music apps like Spotify are examples of this.

While you certainly need an antivirus app, do you really need NetFlix or Spotify to fire up whenever your computer starts?

You can check what startup programs you have from the “Startup” tab from Task Manager. It should also show you the program’s level of impact on the startup process. You may also disable programs that you don’t need launched at startup.

Disabling Spotify app from starting up does not mean stopping it from working forever, nor removing it completely.

It just means that, you allow Spotify to open only when you want to listen to music. This is a greate way to clean up unused apps to fix slow computer. But “clean up” here does not mean removing the apps.

The screen screenshot below, I have disabled all non-essential apps that I do not want them to open during startup process to avoid slowing down my computer.

Sure, I want to use all of these apps, Epson and DYMO ones are for my printers, Exetel Banter for my VoIP phone, Skype for video calls, etc. But I want them to open only when I need them. Other times, they can sit quietly unopened.

This is especially useful if your computer is still running on a spinning hard drive. Try this first to troubleshoot your slow computer.

2. Too many apps running in the background

Other than startup programs, long term use and accumulation of installed programs can slow down your OS. Some apps run in the background while you’re doing something else.

Running multiple programs at the same time can take up RAM space and CPU processing workload. If this workload is too exhausting to handle, the computer may run slower than usual.

This is also something you can check from Task Manager, under “Apps” and “Background processes”. That way you’ll be able to free up your computer’s workload by cleaning up some apps that you don’t use.

You may try refreshing your computer by resetting and reinstalling Windows to free up this space and memory. Resetting Windows or macOS is a great way to troubleshoot slow computer and clean up slow, outdated computer.

Or, you can also look up and uninstall unused programs from Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.

If you see apps such as McAfee LiveSafe, Spotify, and you know you’re not paying them a monthly subscription, they can go. This will help clean up obsolete apps to speed up your slow computer.

SSD vs. HDD: Which hard drive should I pick?

Storage drives. These days it’s not just traditional hard disk drives anymore. You may have heard of the newer, advanced form called a solid-state drive. More and more new laptop or desktop computer models contain solid-state drives, as this advancement does come with more benefits. These benefits make replacing an HDD with an SSD quite a popular upgrade option. People with older computer models choose to upgrade to an SSD as a quick way to boost performance.

You might be replacing your drive because of a hard drive failure, or you’re looking for something to upgrade and refresh your computer’s system. Hard drive failure can happen to many computer users and the only way to fix it is by replacing the hard drive entirely. You may take this opportunity to consider what you need in terms of performance and durability. Learn how to diagnose and repair hard drive failures for Dell, HP, and Apple computers in our guides now.

In this guide, we will be looking at the differences between HDDs and SSDs. You’ll be able to decide what’s the right drive for you, depending on your computer usage and what you want out of a drive.

What is an SSD?

Samsung 840 EVO 2.5-inch SSD.

A solid-state drive is a storage device that uses flash memory to store data consistently. It is sometimes known as a solid-state device, or flash storage for Apple Mac computers.

Unlike RAM, data stored on an SSD stays on the drive even after the computer is shut down. Its non-volatile memory doesn’t refresh nor reset itself like data stored on the RAM does.

While the SSD was first developed by Sandisk, nowadays popular brands like Samsung, Intel, Toshiba, and WD also make powerful and fast SSDs. Computer brands like Dell and HP also make their own branded drives for their own laptop and desktop computer models.

How does an SSD differ from an HDD?

The main difference between an SSD and an HDD is that it does not contain any moving parts. Traditional hard drives store data on disks that spin like a record, and it reads and writes information on the disks just like a record player. Read and write heads on an actuator arm float ever so gently on the surface of the spinning disks.

These moving parts need to be powered to work and spin at set speeds. They are also quite delicate and prone to damage if used carelessly. SSDs in turn store information on flash memory cells instead of spinning disks. These cells are set in place on a circuit board and don’t use any moving parts to read or write information.

Benefits of upgrading to SSD from HDD

Better performance

Because the SSD runs on flash memory, it does run much faster than HDDs that run on spinning disks. The spinning disks on consumer-grade HDDs can only run up to 7200 RPM. This doesn’t compare to how fast an SSD can run.

On average, it can run up to 16 times faster than traditional hard drives do. By using an SSD as a boot drive, you can boot up your computer much faster than before. Firing up apps or software will be smoother as well. This gets you a faster and smoother computing experience.

If your hard drive hasn’t started to fail yet, or you just don’t want to replace it just yet, you might be thinking of using them both. You can use an SSD as a storage drive together with an HDD, but this doesn’t make much of a difference. As you’re using the drive simply for storage, the OS and other apps still run from the HDD. You won’t really get a boost in performance just by using an SSD for file storage.

Another thing that a spinning drive can emit is noise and heat. The constant spinning contributes to an amount of heat that your cooling system needs to work to get rid of. When the drive starts to fail, you may also notice it making noise from worn out moving parts.

That’s the reason why a drive with no moving parts wins. When one part of the computer works smoothly, this benefits the whole system’s functioning. An SSD also draws less power than an HDD does.

Lasting durability

Without delicate machinery, the drive is less likely to fall to physical damage. The moving parts of an HDD do fail eventually, from working too hard, or just from natural wear and tear. Blunt force could also cause the actuator arm to scratch the disk and permanently damage that part of the drive.

Hard drives all fall to bad sectors, and both HDDs and SSDs can get them. However, HDDs just are more vulnerable to bad sector damage. This includes both physical damage and software errors. Because SSDs are more shock resistant and powerful, they don’t accumulate bad sectors as easily as HDDs do. This means a longer lifespan and better resilience to damage. SSDs can last up to 5 to 7 years, while HDDs have a general lifespan of 2-3 years.

The machinery within an HDD also needs to be powered to run, and they can sometimes be quite power draining. The constant spinning can also exert heat. If this goes on, it could accelerate the drive’s failure. An SSD is a more balanced choice that offers great performance over long term use.

A lightweight option

By upgrading an HDD to an SSD, you can shed some weight off your laptop. An SSD is basically a memory chip, it has a lot less parts compared to an HDD. They do not contain the disks, spindle and motor inside an HDD. Inside its metal casing, an SSD only contains memory chips on a circuit board inside. It weighs less than a traditional hard drive.

SSDs can also come in different forms: the regular 2.5-inch form (weighs 45-60g), or the M.2 stick form (weighs 6-10g). If you’re looking to make your laptop more lightweight and travel-friendly, using an SSD could be a great option.

HDD as a lower cost option

A 3.5-inch HDD.

If SSDs are so great, why aren’t they all available on all computers? The reason is because HDD still remains the lower cost option for larger capacities. SSDs are more expensive per gigabyte, while HDDs stay relevant because of their lower cost.

Desktop computer users or users who are looking for more storage space may want to consider just replacing their HDD instead. Or if you want to save some money, a traditional hard drive might still be the choice for you.

As SSDs become more and more popular as a storage mainstay, we expect the prices of SSDs to go down over the years. Advancements over the years may lower the cost and get you larger capacities as well.

What to consider when replacing a hard drive

Form factor

This refers to the physical size of the drive. Getting a hard drive that actually fits your laptop or desktop computer is an important thing to consider. This brings us to the different sizes of consumer-grade hard drives: 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch, and the M.2 SSD. SSDs only come in either 2.5-inch sizes or in stick form (M.2).

2.5-inch drives are mainly made for laptop use, fitting in the laptop chassis via a SATA connection. The larger 3.5-inch HDDs are then used in desktop computers only. You can use a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD in a desktop computer, but a smaller HDD would also mean a less powerful drive due to its compact size.

M.2 SSDs are also available for both laptop and desktop computers, but are more popular for laptop use due to its size and weight. They are favoured in lightweight setups, with a form factor no bigger than a stick of gum.

Capacity

After it’s physical size, we should then think about the virtual size of the drive. Thinking about how much storage capacity you need can help you decide how big of a drive you need.

Most users who use their laptop or desktop computer for personal documents, photos, and internet browsing only need 250 to 500 GB of storage space. Getting too much space would just be a waste of money on a drive that will eventually fail down the line. For users who need more space for video files or photography projects, you might need at least 1TB of storage space.

Compatibility

Making sure that the drive fits into your laptop is important, but we also have to think about whether you can use the drive at all. Certain computer brands like Apple make their own drives or use specific drives that only work for MacOS devices. You’ll have to look out for a drive that is compatible with your operating system and computer model just to make sure.

Checking which hard drive you have

Sometimes it can be difficult to gauge what you want out of a drive. You don’t really know how much space you need, or the speeds of different drives are hard to picture. You may use your current hard drive as a reference point to figure out your usage and whether you’d like to get a better drive or just an exact replacement.

For Windows users, you can find details of your drive from “Device Manager”. Apple Mac users can find this from “About this Mac” and “System Report”. With this, you can do further research on the drive and look for a replacement.

Alternatively, you may choose the more practical method of opening up your laptop to check the information label on the drive itself. If you’re going to replace it yourself later, it could be a way to familiarise yourself with the layout anyway.

How to install a new replacement drive

A hard drive replacement is a very easy repair job to do, even DIY beginners can nail it on the first try. You’ll only need a few simple tools to do so. Resources on YouTube and popular repair guide site ifixit is a great starting point. Swapping out your hard drive is easy as when you follow repair tutorials closely.

After putting in a new drive, don’t forget to reinstall Windows or MacOS, depending on your computer. Apple downloads it for you automatically when you boot from your new drive. For Windows computers, the easiest way is using a USB bootable installer and installing Windows from there.

Professional repairs

Sometimes it’s just easier to let someone else do the work for you. If you’re not eligible to get your computer serviced by a brand-authorised service provider (expired warranty, obsolete device, etc), we can help!

As a third-party repair service, Safemode Computer Service can be a great option for your computer repair and upgrade needs. Is your authorised service provider too far away? Or you’re too busy to replace your drive by yourself? Our experienced technicians in our Inner West store can definitely help! As a highly rated computer repair service in Sydney, we not only can help with repairs, but we can also tune up and upgrade your computer. We can get you the right hard drive replacement, and install it for you as well. Give us a call to make an appointment at our Enmore store today.

3 Computer issues that your device is prone to having

Ever wondered what kind of computer issues that you could run into during your computer’s lifespan? Every computer user is bound to experience some sort of computer hardware issue. Each part of the computer works together to function, so once one part starts to fail, it is quite noticeable in your computing experience.

From our technical experience, we’ve found that some common computer issues come from the hard drive, motherboard, or the keyboard. All these hardware faults could cause various disruptions in performance and functioning. In this guide we will cover the different error messages and issues that come with hardware failure.

Hard drive failure

Whether you have a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD, flash storage), or a combination of the two, you will likely experience a hard drive failure. Hard drive issues are very common in the world of technology. This is mostly because they generally don’t last very long. While SSDs are less prone to damage compared to HDDs, they are still vulnerable to bad sectors. If you’re familiar with what bad sectors are, then you’ll know that they are unavoidable.

Why do hard drives fail?

Hard drives are made quite sturdy, but can still get damaged from physical damage. Or they can also be damaged from software issues. These two types of damage can cause hard and soft bad sectors. Physical damage like blunt force, or air and dust contamination increases your chances of getting hard bad sectors. They will have to be marked off the drive so it doesn’t try to read and write on there. Software issues like viruses or improper shutdown while the drive is writing information would then cause soft bad sectors.

All this does sound quite daunting, but not to worry, a small amount of bad sectors is totally fine. In fact, every hard drive ships with a tiny amount of bad sectors. As long as it is only in a small part of the drive, you’re good. But when bad sectors accumulate and spread out on the drive, it is intolerable and the drive will start to fail. And this type of failure can definitely show in various ways, depending on how far gone the drive is.

What hard drive failure can look like

Unlike straightforward computer errors like screen or keyboard damage, hard drive failure can come in varied ways. Luckily with our computer repair experience, we can recognise a few of these signs and know where to look. Some of them are pretty apparent, so you can also figure them out yourself.

Your hard drive is usually used as the boot drive. This means that it is essential for starting up your laptop or desktop computer. Not only does it contain all your files, it also contains the operating system (OS) and necessary boot files. Without them, your device won’t run at all. So a faulty hard drive could get you computer startup issues.

These sort of startup issues come with system error messages like “no bootable device”, or “operating system not found”. All this just means that the boot files are either corrupted or lost from hard drive damage. With this, the system will have trouble starting up, or won’t start up at all. Sometimes startup repair can fix startup errors. But when the drive is too far gone, it may not work.

While data corruption can occur to boot files, other files on the hard drive can also get corrupted. An accumulation of bad sectors could also slow down your computer, as writing and reading processes get interrupted with these damaged parts of the drive. Keeping regular backups of the files that you need could be a smart way to combat sudden data loss.

How to fix a faulty hard drive

When you do find that your hard drive is faulty, the solution is pretty straightforward: replace it! A hard drive replacement is a fairly easy repair job to do. It can also be a simple way to refresh your computer. You could also consider getting an upgrade to a better performing drive, or an upgrade from an HDD to and SSD. This can get you the performance boost you’ve been looking for in your computing experience.

But first, we do need to test the hard drive before repairing it. You can start with built-in utilities like chdsk or pre-boot diagnostics, then move on to extensive tests on dedicated software. That way you can thoroughly detect and confirm hard drive issues. Because sometimes, even though you think you’re sure about something, it could be some other issue on your computer. Learn more about common hard drive error messages and how to fix them in our guide here.

Motherboard failure

While motherboard failure can happen a lot, it can be very hard to detect and repair, even for computer technicians themselves. The motherboard, or logic board, connects all the parts of the computer together. It is like the nervous system of the entire computer. Signals are sent from the processor through the motherboard for the rest of the system to work properly together.

So you can probably imagine what would happen if the motherboard stopped working. Without the motherboard as the nervous system, none of the components can communicate with each other. Most of the time, this would lead to the computer’s inability to turn on. When it does turn on, it might not even start booting up at all.

Why do motherboards fail?

Motherboards usually get damaged by physical accidents or natural wear and tear. This kind of physical damage could corrode or rust the connective points of the motherboard.

When a computer is not properly cooled down and has blocked fans due to dust accumulation or faulty fans, overheating may occur. Not only does an overheated computer work less efficiently, the undispersed heat can also warp the motherboard. So you might want to make sure that your computer is clean and can cool itself properly and efficiently.

Another common thing that quickly kills a motherboard is liquid spill damage. We’d like to say that spilling a drink is something that can be avoided, but sometimes it just happens. Or you might have left it out in the rain by accident. Liquid spill usually gets to the keyboard first, then seeps into the motherboard. It can cause rust or even corrosion on the circuits, depending on what kind of liquid was spilled. Read more about liquid spill damage and what not to do when you’ve spilled on your laptop here. Definitely don’t reach for that rice now.

What a motherboard failure can look like

Motherboard failures are sometimes not as clear as hard drive failures can be. There are still some signs that could point you in the right direction. So you’ll have an idea to test which component first.

When your computer does not turn on at all and seems to be dead, this could be a sign that the motherboard is dead as well. Sometimes it does turn on, but does not pass the Power-On Self Test. Not passing POST means there is something seriously wrong that the computer will not start to boot at all. A more apparent sign would also be the computer not turning on after getting liquid spilled on it.

Some specific laptop models also have some signs that point to a motherboard issue. Incredibly dim screens on Apple Macbook Air and Macbook Pro laptops is an example of this. The LED screen brightness on these laptops is controlled by the logic board. So when it is not lit properly, the logic board is probably malfunctioning.

Certain Dell laptop charger lights could also be an indicator of motherboard failures. From our repair experience, we’ve found that when the charger is plugged in and both the charger light and the laptop doesn’t turn on, the problem is usually a faulty motherboard. There’s not really a reason for this, it’s just something we’ve noticed over time.

How to fix a faulty motherboard

As motherboard errors are so hard to detect, thorough testing should definitely be done to confirm a motherboard fault. As there is no specific test for motherboard diagnostics, we’ll have to test it out by eliminating other components. This would be either the RAM or GPU, which may require some disassembly. Especially when your laptop or desktop computer does not turn on at all. When you do find that your motherboard is faulty, you can replace the entire board to fix it. Some repairs may also allow you to only replace small parts of the motherboard. To find out how to test and repair a faulty motherboard, read our guide here.

Keyboard damages

Laptop keyboards are also quite easy to break, as they are moving parts that have gaps in between. Sometimes the keys might come loose or not work at all. These days laptops are designed to be more advanced and travel-friendly, so parts are usually made thinner. This is also the case for keyboards on modern laptops like Ultrabooks. They are generally harder to repair and easier to break.

Keyboards are also prone to rust and dust damage, due to the gaps between keys. Air and dust can get in the keyboard and wear out keys. This includes liquid spill damage as well. If not kept in a cool and dry environment, an unused keyboard may also fail as well.

To fix a damaged keyboard, you’ll need to get it replaced. The thing is, even if you want to fix a keyboard with only one worn out key, you have to replace the whole keyboard. With this, we have to take out everything else to get to the keyboard. And because of certain thin designs, taking out a keyboard for a replacement can sometimes be quite tricky. Something like the butterfly keyboard on Apple Macbooks are especially difficult to repair due to their intricate and thin design.

Healthy computing habits

So now you know what can happen to your computer, now’s the time to think about precautions. Keeping regular habits could help you be prepared for any eventual computer failure.

Back up data

For the safe storage of your data in case of any data loss, we recommend regularly backing up data. The more the better, actually. You may also store it both online and on an external hard drive. That way your precious files are protected against data loss or corrupt when your hard drive starts to fail.

Ensure proper ventilation and cooling

Overheating is not only bad for the motherboard, it can also harm other parts of the computer. So make sure your laptop vents are clear of obstruction and no dust has accumulated in the fan. That way your system can efficiently disperse heat for normal computer functioning.

Getting a professional repair

Suspecting that you have computer hardware issues? You may be thinking of taking it to a repair shop to avoid all the hassle. That way you can get a professional opinion about fixing your laptop or desktop computer. A brand authorised service centre or a third-party repair service might be where you’re headed.

An authorised service centre can usually get you specialised free service. That is as long as your warranty or care plan is still valid, of course. Still sometimes you might not be able to get a repair. You might not be able to get repairs that involve obsolete devices, liquid spill damage, or complete motherboard replacements. That would probably get you to try out a third-party repair service.

We’re here to help! At Safemode Computer Service, we can offer you a free checkup and quote when you bring your computer to us. Is your brand authorised service centre too far away? If you are in Inner West Sydney, consider us! We are in the heart of the Inner West, in Enmore. With our expert technicians and highly-rated service, we can definitely help with your computer repair needs. Give us a call at 1800 85 83 82.

Ask a technician: How long does a computer repair take?

Every computer user these days is bound to experience at least one computer error in their lifetime. Laptop and desktop computers can last very long, but once one part fails, the rest of the computer may not work at all. With these problems, you may have sent in your laptop or desktop computer for repair.

While most people may be capable of using different types of technology, they may know little about PC hardware issues and repair. With this, questions about how soon the repair can be done or whether they can rush the process are often asked.

Depending on the faulty part that needs tending to, your computer repair duration can vary. The type of repair may be more challenging to do, or the problem may take time to detect and diagnose. Understanding the process of PC repair can be helpful to ease your mind over how long your computer is going to be away from you. We’re going to look at the average repair process of a computer, and the different things that affect the time to complete a repair.

Our computer repair process

Computer repair is certainly more than just taking things apart and screwing things together. Together with those tools, we also make use of spare parts and components for testing and repair. This process involves a lot of diagnostic tests, and of course, a lot of waiting around for those tests to finish. We test parts of the computer before and after fixing it, and get the right replacement parts for it as well.

1. Testing before repair

For a reliable fix, multiple tests are required to ensure the problem is properly eliminated. These multiple tests also help to detect and fix intermittent problems that only one test might not find.

We perform initial tests on problem areas that are reported to us. Usually from experience, we are able to narrow down the faulty part and focus on that. For example, if the laptop is completely dead, it could be a motherboard issue, or a hard drive issue if the user is experiencing boot up issues.

Then we can start running more extensive tests to diagnose the problem. This involves taking out the said part and testing it on a separate desktop computer with hardware analysis software. By doing so, we can eliminate other factors that can affect the diagnosis of the hardware. In some situations, we also switch out faulty parts with working spare parts to confirm the problem by method of elimination. Learn how to test for hard drive or motherboard issues in our guides to hard drive faults and motherboard failures.

2. Data backup

Repairs that involve storage drives would call for backing up data or data recovery. When we install a new drive, backing up data to an external hard drive is something that can take quite a while as well. This applies to repairs related to hard drive failure, liquid spill damage, or SSD upgrades.

Before we reinstall the OS on the new drive, backing up data would be required to make sure files can be retained and used again. Sometimes data backup and OS installation is also required in certain motherboard repairs. Copying data across storage devices takes time, and could take longer if data recovery is required on the drive. Data recovery repair is something we can also do to help you get your data back, but there’s no guarantee that all data can be recovered from the faulty drive.

3. Getting parts that need replacing

After diagnosing the problem, getting the right replacement solution is the next step to a working computer again. While some diagnostic software can sometimes fix the reported problem, a more reliable and long-lasting solution might just be a replacement. For example, bad sectors on hard drives can be repaired or isolated by software, but its eventual failure is still looming. Getting the drive replaced could promise you long-lasting performance over a quick fix that might only get you a few more months on the drive.

Replacement parts are then ordered online, according to the right part number. Different models of laptops and desktop computers will require only compatible replacement parts. We can usually find these by their matching part numbers, or by inspecting for identical ones when their part numbers are not available. If the exact model is not available, we’ll have to find other compatible alternatives. Luckily, we’re pretty well-versed in looking for the right replacement parts and suppliers are generally quite helpful as well.

4. Fixing and replacing faulty parts

Depending on the type of repair, we determine the right repair solution for the device. Some repairs like hard drive replacements or SSD upgrades can be done pretty quickly.

But for some more delicate parts of a laptop like the motherboard or the screen, replacing them takes more careful consideration and time. Screen replacements involve taking the faulty screen out of the laptop and assembling everything back together. For motherboard repairs, other components will have to be taken out and connected again after the motherboard is replaced.

After installing new hardware, we have to make sure the computer now works properly. Repairs that involve boot drives would also need new OS installations. Then we can move on to more tests to make sure the repair was successful.

5. Testing after repair

After installing new parts and replacements, the computer may work just fine. But by running final extensive tests, we can find errors that we have missed or that the repair wasn’t successful. This way we can make sure that intermittent problems won’t happen again. If the computer passes these final tests, then we’re done!

Things that affect how long it takes to repair a computer

Diagnostic test duration

To make sure problems are detected and fixed properly, we run multiple tests before and after the computer is repaired. This ensures the proper repair of failures and even intermittent issues that aren’t always apparent.

Due to their in depth testing process, these tests do take a long time to complete. Say we’re testing for RAM issues. Each test can run up to 30 minutes.

Other tests like hard drive diagnostics can run overnight, and cannot be attended to the whole time. Every so often the test can pause on its own while it is unattended, and will have to start again when we get to it. It is with these extensive tests that we can deliver the right result.

Part accessibility and delivery

Getting replacement parts can sometimes be harder for certain computer models. This depends on how accessible they are to find from a supplier, and its compatibility with different models.

Branded parts from HP, Apple, or Dell have universal part numbers that are available from a public lookup system. They also offer other compatible alternatives and comparisons depending on the model of computer. This offers a more streamlined ordering process from a hardware supplier.

Apple, being the most popular brands for computers, also have the most spare parts available. Hence, repairs on Apple computers can be faster too.

However, with brands like Acer, Asus, and Toshiba don’t have a universal part number lookup system. Components can’t be found via a singular part number, so they need some digging to find the right one. To find the right part to order, we can only find the matching part by inspecting it visually. This takes an expert technician to do so.

For branded components that are out of market or supply, we try to find the best compatible alternative as a replacement. Not every type of replacement part can be used for every model of computer, even if it is from the same brand. For instance, we have to match the frequency of RAM chips to make sure that it is the right one. A 1333 mHz RAM can’t be used in place of a 1066 mHz RAM. With our experience and a little bit of patience, the right replacement part can definitely be found.

Delivery of replacement parts can take time too, like most things that you order online. Normally they can take 2-5 business days to arrive, or 1-2 business days by express delivery. We also take delays and the delivery of faulty or wrong parts into account.

Repairability of certain computer models

Newer models these days are made more and more fancier and sleeker. This slim design in turn gives the computer lower repairability that does not benefit the consumer. It certainly does not make things easier for the repair technician.

These slim designs often glue things together instead of using screws for assembly. It takes more time to take things apart for replacement. For screen repairs on certain computer models like the iMac, its screen is glued on the aluminum casing. It would need a lot more care and effort to take out the screen for a replacement.

Other parts like the butterfly keyboard on Apple Macbook Air and Macbook Pro laptops is also a challenging repair to perform. Replacing the keyboard involves other delicate parts of the Macbook, including the logic board. These slimmer advanced designs may make for a better computing experience for the user, but when it breaks, it can take a while to fix.

Data backup

Data backup and restoration to a new drive can take a while due to the size of files and the connecting interface used to transfer data. Hard drives make use of the SATA interface to transfer data, and most data transfer devices or cables make use of a SATA to USB connection.

The USB interface, while being the most available option, drops the transfer rate significantly, compared to a SATA connection. Transfer speeds for SATA is up to 6GB/s, with USB clocking in at 480MB/s. The type of connection can greatly affect the time spent backing up and restoring data on a hard drive.

Human errors

We may pride ourselves in being experts in the field, but we might still make mistakes. We’re only human, after all. Improper installations or the wrong type of repair can happen, and they may take a little bit more time to correct. With more difficult repairs, breaking something else while fixing something can also happen. At times, we may also be provided with the wrong password for the computer and are unable to complete the job until it is corrected.

Our turnaround time for most computer repairs is 1-7 business days (not including weekends), and may take longer if data recovery is needed. With this expected time frame, we always allow time to cover for mistakes or delays in delivery or repair completion. There are often multiple jobs at the same time and we cannot promise urgent repair orders.

Things to keep in mind when taking your computer to a repair service

Always have a backup

Whether or not your laptop or desktop computer is failing, it’s always a good idea to have a backup of your storage drive. This can either be on an external hard drive or on a cloud-based storage service. Actually, the more backups the better. You never know when your computer may crash and lose all your data, so having a backup of your files can help keep them safe from a tragedy. It can also save you the time and money that data recovery processes often need.

Keep original software licenses and installation media

Regular backups can keep your files safe and readily available, but software installed on your system will probably be wiped if your system crashes. To keep a “backup” of your software, it’s best you keep the original software licenses, manuals, and installation CDs that come with the software purchase. This ensures that you can install the software again if your OS has been reinstalled or if you’ve installed a new drive.

You can ask for a rental computer

Not having your computer for a few days can be unbearable, especially if you use it for work or entertainment. If you don’t have a spare computer to use while your main one is getting serviced, you may ask us for a rental computer to use in the meantime.

Got a question for us?

Safemode Computer Service has served the Inner West for many years now, with our highly rated repair services around Sydney. We can help with any computer problem and repairs that you may have. Call us today or come by our Enmore store for expert advice and solutions to your computer problems. We are always happy to help!