Common Computer Issues: System Hanging or Freezing

Computers are integral to our daily lives, whether for work, entertainment, or communication. However, they are not immune to issues, and one of the most frustrating problems users encounter is a system hanging or freezing. These issues can disrupt productivity and cause significant inconvenience. Understanding why computers hang or freeze and how to address these problems is crucial for maintaining a smooth and efficient computing experience.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various causes of system hanging or freezing, both software and hardware-related. We will provide practical solutions to fix these issues and offer tips on preventing them in the future. Additionally, we will discuss when it might be time to seek professional help. By the end of this article, you’ll have a thorough understanding of how to manage and prevent one of the most common computer issues: system hanging or freezing.

Understanding System Hanging or Freezing

What is System Hanging or Freezing?

System hanging or freezing occurs when a computer becomes unresponsive to user inputs. This can manifest in different ways, such as the screen becoming stuck on a single image, the cursor not moving, or programs failing to open or close. Understanding the distinction between hanging and freezing is important:

• Hanging: The computer or an application becomes temporarily unresponsive but may recover after some time.
• Freezing: The system is completely unresponsive and requires a restart to function again.

Common signs of system hanging or freezing include:

• The mouse pointer not moving.
• Keyboard inputs not being recognized.
• Applications not responding or crashing.
• The entire screen becoming static.

Why Does System Hanging or Freezing Occur?

System hanging or freezing can result from various causes, broadly categorized into software-related and hardware-related issues. Understanding these causes can help in diagnosing and resolving the problem effectively.

Software-Related Issues:

• Outdated software
• Virus or malware infections
• Running too many background programs
• Operating system problems

Hardware-Related Issues:

• Insufficient RAM
• Overheating
• Hard drive problems
• Power supply issues

Software-Related Causes of System Hanging or Freezing

Outdated Software

Keeping your software up to date is crucial for maintaining optimal computer performance. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, and system instability. When software is not updated regularly, it may not work well with the latest versions of other programs or the operating system, leading to system hanging or freezing.

Why Outdated Software Causes Problems:

• Compatibility Issues: Newer software versions often include bug fixes and improvements that ensure compatibility with other applications and system updates. Using outdated versions can lead to conflicts and crashes.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Outdated software is more susceptible to security threats, including viruses and malware, that can cause the system to freeze or hang.
• Performance Issues: Older software may not be optimized for current hardware and software environments, leading to slower performance and increased chances of freezing.

How to Update Software:

1. Enable Automatic Updates: Many operating systems and applications offer automatic update features. Enable these to ensure your software is always up to date.
2. Manual Updates: Regularly check for updates in the settings menu of your applications.
3. Use Update Management Tools: Tools like Patch My PC or Ninite can help manage and automate the update process for multiple applications.

Virus or Malware Infections

Viruses and malware are malicious software programs designed to harm or exploit your computer. They can significantly degrade system performance and lead to frequent hanging or freezing.

Common Signs of Infection:

• Unexpected Pop-Ups: Frequent pop-up ads or system alerts.
• Slow Performance: The computer runs slower than usual.
• Unusual Behavior: Applications behaving erratically or unknown programs running.

How to Detect and Remove Infections:

1. Install Antivirus Software: Use reputable antivirus software to scan and protect your system. Some popular options include Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.
2. Run Regular Scans: Schedule regular scans to detect and remove threats.
3. Use Malware Removal Tools: Tools like Malwarebytes can effectively remove stubborn malware that traditional antivirus software might miss.

Too Many Background Programs

Running multiple programs simultaneously can overburden your computer’s resources, causing it to hang or freeze. Background programs, in particular, can consume significant memory and processing power without you being aware of it.

Identifying Resource-Hungry Programs:

• Task Manager (Windows): Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and look for programs consuming high CPU, memory, or disk usage.
• Activity Monitor (Mac): Use Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities) to check resource usage.

Managing Background Programs:

1. Close Unnecessary Programs: Regularly close programs you are not using to free up resources.
2. Disable Startup Programs: Prevent non-essential programs from starting automatically when you boot your computer.
3. Use Lightweight Alternatives: Consider using less resource-intensive alternatives to heavy programs.

Operating System Issues

Operating system (OS) problems can also lead to system instability, causing your computer to hang or freeze. These issues can arise from corrupted system files, incomplete updates, or conflicts between the OS and installed applications.

Common OS-Related Problems:

• Corrupted System Files: Important system files may become corrupted due to improper shutdowns, malware, or hardware failures.
• Incomplete Updates: Incomplete or failed updates can cause system instability.
• Software Conflicts: Conflicts between the OS and installed applications can lead to crashes and freezing.

How to Troubleshoot OS Issues:

1. Run System Diagnostics: Use built-in tools like Windows System File Checker (sfc /scannow) or macOS Disk Utility to check for and repair corrupted files.
2. Keep OS Updated: Ensure your operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates.
3. Perform a Clean Boot: Temporarily disable all startup programs and services to identify if any are causing conflicts.
4. Reinstall the OS: As a last resort, reinstalling the operating system can resolve persistent issues.

Hardware-Related Causes of System Hanging or Freezing

Insufficient RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) plays a crucial role in your computer’s performance. RAM temporarily stores data that your CPU needs to access quickly. When there is insufficient RAM, your system struggles to manage running programs, leading to system hanging or freezing.

Signs of Insufficient RAM:

• Slow Performance: Overall sluggishness, especially when multiple applications are open.
• Frequent Freezing: System freezes during high-intensity tasks.
• Error Messages: Messages indicating memory issues.

How to Check and Upgrade RAM:

1. Check RAM Usage:

• Windows: Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to check RAM usage under the Performance tab.
• Mac: Use Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities) to check memory usage.

2. Upgrade RAM:

• Identify Your RAM Needs: Determine how much RAM you currently have and how much you need. Most modern computers perform well with at least 8GB of RAM, but 16GB or more is recommended for demanding tasks.
• Purchase Compatible RAM: Ensure you buy RAM that is compatible with your computer’s motherboard.
• Install the RAM: Follow your computer’s manual or online guides to install the new RAM modules.

Overheating

Overheating is a common cause of system instability and can lead to hanging or freezing. When your computer’s components get too hot, they can’t perform optimally, causing the system to slow down or stop responding.

Causes of Overheating:

• Dust Build-Up: Dust can clog fans and vents, restricting airflow.
• Faulty Fans: Broken or inefficient fans can’t cool the system properly.
• Poor Ventilation: Keeping your computer in an enclosed space without proper airflow.

Signs Your Computer is Overheating:

• Fan Noise: Loud or constantly running fans.
• High Temperatures: The computer feels hot to the touch.
• Unexpected Shutdowns: System shuts down automatically to prevent damage.

Solutions to Prevent Overheating:

1. Clean Your Computer:

– Use compressed air to remove dust from fans, vents, and internal components.

2. Improve Airflow:

– Ensure your computer is placed in a well-ventilated area.

– Use a cooling pad for laptops.

3. Replace or Add Fans:

– Upgrade to more efficient fans or add additional fans to improve cooling.

4. Apply Thermal Paste:

– Reapply thermal paste to your CPU to ensure efficient heat transfer.

Hard Drive Problems

The hard drive is where your computer stores all its data. Issues with the hard drive, such as fragmentation or impending failure, can lead to system instability and cause hanging or freezing.

Common Hard Drive Issues:

– Fragmentation: Files are stored in non-contiguous sectors, slowing down access times.

– Bad Sectors: Parts of the hard drive become unreadable.

– Impending Failure: Mechanical or electronic failures in the hard drive.

How to Diagnose and Fix Hard Drive Problems:

1. Check for Errors:

– Windows: Use the built-in Check Disk tool (chkdsk) to scan and fix errors.

– Mac: Use Disk Utility to check and repair disk issues.

2. Defragment the Drive:

– Windows: Use the Disk Defragmenter tool to reorganize fragmented files.

– Mac: MacOS automatically handles defragmentation, but you can use third-party tools if needed.

3. Backup and Replace:

– Regularly back up important data to an external drive or cloud storage.

– If the hard drive shows signs of failure, replace it with a new one. Consider upgrading to a Solid State Drive (SSD) for better performance.

Power Supply Issues

A stable power supply is essential for your computer’s performance. Fluctuations or inadequacies in power supply can lead to system instability, causing your computer to hang or freeze.

Signs of Power Supply Issues:

– Random Restarts: The system restarts without warning.

– Power Surges: Visible signs of power surges or flickering lights.

– Component Failures: Other hardware components fail frequently.

How to Address Power Supply Issues:

1. Check Connections:

– Ensure all power cables are securely connected.

2. Use a Surge Protector:

– Protect your computer from power surges with a reliable surge protector.

3. Upgrade the Power Supply Unit (PSU):

– If your current PSU is inadequate, consider upgrading to one with a higher wattage and better efficiency.

How SafeMode Computer Service Can Help

When dealing with persistent system hanging or freezing issues, sometimes it’s best to seek professional help. SafeMode Computer Service offers expert solutions to diagnose and resolve these frustrating problems, ensuring your computer runs smoothly and efficiently.

Professional Diagnostics

SafeMode Computer Service provides thorough diagnostic services to identify the root cause of system hanging or freezing. Our experienced technicians use advanced tools and techniques to pinpoint both software and hardware issues accurately. This comprehensive diagnostic process ensures that all potential problems are identified and addressed.

What We Offer:

• Full System Scan: A complete scan of your system to detect software conflicts, malware, and other issues.
• Hardware Testing: Rigorous testing of critical hardware components like RAM, hard drives, and power supply units.
• Detailed Reports: Clear, detailed reports on the findings and recommended solutions.

Expert Repairs and Upgrades

Once the issue is diagnosed, SafeMode Computer Service provides effective repair and upgrade services. Whether it’s replacing faulty hardware, cleaning up malware, or updating outdated software, we ensure your computer is back to optimal performance in no time.

Our Services Include:

• Hardware Replacement: Upgrading or replacing failing components such as RAM, hard drives, and power supplies.
• Software Solutions: Installing and configuring the latest software updates, antivirus programs, and performance optimization tools.
• System Optimization: Enhancing system performance by cleaning up unnecessary files, optimizing startup programs, and improving system settings.

Preventative Maintenance

To prevent future system hanging or freezing issues, SafeMode Computer Service offers preventative maintenance services. Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your computer and keep it running smoothly.

Preventative Maintenance Services:

• Regular Cleaning: Cleaning internal components to prevent dust build-up and overheating.
• Software Updates: Keeping all software, including the operating system, up to date.
• System Backups: Setting up and managing regular backups to protect your data.

Custom Solutions

Every computer and user is unique, which is why SafeMode Computer Service provides customized solutions tailored to your specific needs. We take into account your usage patterns, system configuration, and specific requirements to offer the most effective solutions.

Customized Services:

• Personalized Consultations: One-on-one consultations to understand your specific issues and requirements.
• Tailored Recommendations: Customized advice and recommendations based on your system and usage.
• Follow-Up Support: Ongoing support to ensure your computer remains in good condition.

Contact SafeMode Computer Service

If you’re struggling with system hanging or freezing, don’t hesitate to contact SafeMode Computer Service. Our expert team is ready to help you get back to a smooth computing experience.

Contact Information:

Phone: 1800 85 83 82 or 02 9516 2966

Email: info@safemode.com.au

Address: 28/89-97 Jones St, Ultimo NSW 2007 and 185 Enmore Rd Enmore NSW 2042

Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

In this guide, we explored the causes and solutions for system hanging or freezing. Key takeaways include:

• Software Issues: Outdated software, malware, too many background programs, and OS problems can cause instability.
• Hardware Issues: Insufficient RAM, overheating, hard drive problems, and power supply issues impact performance.
• Diagnosis and Fixes: Tools like Task Manager and Event Viewer help identify issues, while updates, upgrades, and better cooling can resolve them.
• Prevention: Regular maintenance and using reliable tools prevent future issues.
• Professional Help: SafeMode Computer Service offers expert diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance.

Encouragement to Stay Proactive

Stay proactive with regular system checks, updates, and cleanups to avoid system hanging or freezing. This ensures a seamless computing experience.

Final Tips:

• Regular Backups: Avoid data loss by backing up important files.
• Trusted Software: Use reputable sources to reduce malware risks.
• Monitor Performance: Address slowdowns promptly.

Call to Action

If you found this guide helpful, share it with others. Leave comments or questions below, and we’ll assist you further. For more help, contact SafeMode Computer Service for diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance.

What is a Laptop Hinge?

Before we dive into the specifics of laptop hinge issues and solutions, let’s start with the basics: what exactly is a laptop hinge?

A laptop hinge is a mechanical component that allows the laptop’s screen to pivot and stay in place at various angles. It is essentially the “joint” that connects the display panel to the laptop’s base, enabling you to open and close the laptop smoothly.

A typical laptop hinge consists of two main parts: the hinge itself and the brackets or screws that secure it to the laptop’s chassis. Hinges are designed to be sturdy and durable, but like any mechanical component, they can wear out or become damaged over time.

Laptop Models Commonly Susceptible to Hinge Damage

It’s worth noting that not all laptops are equally prone to hinge problems. Some home computers, such as the HP Pavilion x360, Spectre x360, Asus ZenBook, Lenovo IdeaPad, Dell Inspiron 2-in-1, Dell XPS, and Acer Aspire, have standard plastic hinges that are more susceptible to wear and tear over time. These hinges can develop issues like stiffness, wobbling screens, or even complete failure.

On the other hand, business-grade laptops like the Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad X series, W series, P series, T series, HP ProBook, HP EliteBook, HP Dragonfly, Apple MacBook Pro, and Apple MacBook Air come equipped with metal hinges that are generally less susceptible to damage. The use of metal hinges enhances their durability and longevity.

See our video of how we fix laptop hinge below:

Some computer users don’t expect their devices to fail, and see this as a sign that the computer is dying and that they need to replace it.

Like most electronics, laptops and desktop computers can break at least once in the device’s lifetime. And usually it’s not a major heart operation.

Learning more about a computer’s lifespan can help inform your decision to repair or replace your faulty computer.

What is the average lifespan of a computer?

In its early days, computers could last very long: 8 to 10+ years. Now they don’t.

Computers now last 3 to 4 years then a repair is needed to get it working again. Its performance may also drop after a few years.

10 Computer pro tips for better laptop care

Want to improve your computing experience? Or simply looking for better ways to take care of your laptop? Here are 10 computer pro tips from the experts:

1. Turn off your laptop properly

Most people just close their laptop’s lid once they’re done for the day. It’s super quick, the laptop goes to sleep, always ready for you once you open it up again. But you might want to turn it off properly rather than keeping it on sleep mode all the time. And when we say properly, we mean shutting it off from the system interface. Not holding down the power button until the screen goes black.

When you put your laptop in sleep mode, RAM data from your previous session stays cached and does not completely reset until you turn the laptop off. It all just stays there even after the laptop wakes up, and the RAM then has less memory capacity to work on.

Turning off or restarting your laptop can reset this cached data and give you a clean slate to work on again. You might also be able to resolve a number of software bugs or issues when you restart it again. That’s why you might want to think twice before you roll your eyes to the IT guy when he asks “have you tried turning it on and off again?”

2. Back up your data

You never know what could happen to your laptop, unavoidable accidents and hardware failures can happen and possibly ruin your day. Safe and secure data storage is key to preventing lost data tragedies. Any type of data backup is a great place to store your files.

You can choose from online cloud based storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, or even subscription-based ones if you have a lot of data you need regularly backed-up. If you’d rather have everything offline on an external hard drive, that’s good too! You can either drag-and-drop your files onto the drive, or set up a backup from Windows backup or Apple Time Machine.

The hard drive on your laptop can fail after 3-5 years. That doesn’t mean the whole laptop is dead, it just means you need to get the hard drive replaced. To avoid paying more for data recovery services, better make sure all your important data is backed up.

While you’re here, you can also see 7 best tools to test your broken computer (The best one is FREE), if you’re curious about how to diagnose your computer.

3. Disk cleanup

There’s a handy tool on every Windows computer that can help you find and free up space on your hard drive and it’s called Disk Cleanup. Unfortunately for Apple MacBook laptops there aren’t any built-in tools for disk cleanup, but there are a number of external apps that you can install and use to clear up space.

You can find Disk Cleanup by right-clicking on your local C Drive and click on ‘Properties’. From the ‘General’ tab you’ll find the capacity of your drive, and you can use Disk Cleanup there.

Disk Cleanup can find old Windows updates installations or temporary files that you don’t need anymore. If you’re looking to free up some space on your laptop, try using this tool first. Then you can move on to finding large files that photos or videos that you can move to an external hard drive or simply delete them.

4. Disable apps on startup

If you want your laptop to boot up quicker with no interruptions, you may want to disable some of the startup apps. These apps are set to automatically open once you turn on your computer. When your laptop has additional things to work on while it is starting up, it could slow down the whole process.

You can always start the apps you need after the computer boots up, it’s just a matter of convenience. Startup program apps on Windows laptops can be disabled from Task Manager, and System Preferences on Apple MacBooks.

From the Startup tab of Task Manager, you can assess the startup impact of each program and choose to disable them from starting up automatically. You should also consider how important these programs are beforehand.

Startup programs in Apple macOS are known as login items. You can find them from System Preferences > Users and Groups > Login Items.

5. Improve your accessibility with keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can make things easier for you with just a few key combinations. With some of these shortcuts, you won’t have to bring your mouse to where you need, or even go through different windows. Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts to make your life easier:

Locks your computer: Win + L (Windows) / Cmd + Ctrl + Q (Apple)

Minimises a window: Win + D (Windows) / Mission Control (Apple)

Closes a window: Ctrl + W

Undoes a closed browser tab: Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) / Cmd + Shift + T (Apple)

6. Use your laptop on flat and solid surfaces

Cozying up to your favourite TV show in bed is one of life’s great pleasures. But it can come with consequences. Using your laptop on fabric surfaces like your bed or sofa is not recommended, as this can block the vents of the laptop.

This kind of blockage can put a strain on the cooling system of your laptop. Blocked vents make it harder for the hot air to disperse out of the laptop. This increases the risk of overheating.

7. Clean the insides of the laptop

Compressed air is a quick and easy-to-use solution for laptop cleaning. You don’t need that many tools for the whole process either.

You can get a can of compressed air from any major hardware or electronics store. They usually come with a small nozzle that can reach the small gaps between components on a laptop. All you need to do is unscrew the bottom cover of the laptop and blow out any crumbs or dust trapped inside.

Cleaning your laptop is an important computer care habit to keep. Not only are you keeping the laptop clean, you’re also reducing the risk of laptop overheating. When you have a lot of dust accumulated inside the laptop, the dust can trap heat, putting a lot of stress on the fans.

8. Use a keyboard cover

Using a keyboard cover is more of a preventive method of keeping the laptop clean. You might not notice it, but dust and crumbs can get inside the laptop easily through the gaps in the keyboard. So these keyboard covers can stop that from happening.

9. Gentle taps, not clicks

The moving parts of a laptop are more prone to breaking due to our continuous use. That includes the touchpad of a laptop as well. Try tapping on the touchpad, instead of clicking down on the pad. By not using its moving parts so much, you can certainly lengthen the touchpad’s lifespan.

10. Turn down your screen’s brightness

Every laptop’s screen is lit by its backlight. It’s usually an LED light that will possibly burn out somewhere along the laptop’s lifespan. To conserve the backlight’s energy consumption and lifespan, you might want to turn down the screen’s brightness whenever you can.

Expert repairs at Safemode Computer Service

We’re here to help! At Safemode Computer Service, our experienced technicians are always happy to help with any computer issues all around Sydney. From Apple MacBooks to Windows desktops, we can assess and repair computer issues that you have.

Thinking about upgrading your laptop or desktop computer? We can also offer advice on how you might want to go about that. Book an appointment at our Inner West store or give us a call today.

Computer future-proofing explained: Why future-proofing is so popular

What is futureproofing?

Future-proofing is a design process used in many sectors such as medical, industrial design, and electronics industries. These design principles are used by anticipating the future to develop products or strategies that continue to be valuable in the future. This prevents the product from becoming obsolete in the distant future.

In terms of computer technology, future-proofing means that you won’t have to buy a new computer for a long time. This process makes sure you have the right tech and hardware on your computer that can last you a long time.

When you buy a laptop or desktop computer, you might want to look into its hardware specs, the model’s build and repairability. Realistically, a future-proofed computer doesn’t mean that the computer won’t break at all. It just means that its capabilities and performance will still hold up a few years into its lifespan. All computers will likely run into some sort of hardware issue during its lifetime, so you might want to consider something that is easy to maintain.

Why should I future-proof my computer?

Simply put, if you don’t want to have to buy a new computer for the next 3-5 years, you might want to look into future-proofing your tech. The truth is, all technology, including computers will become obsolete eventually.

Think of some of your old gadgets, for example. The Walkman was quite popular for a long time in the 80s and 90s, but then it was replaced by the more compact mp3 player. Then somewhere along the line, the iPod was introduced and changed the game. Then again, the popularity of Apple iPods went down as soon as music streaming platforms came in. This is why we can only go so far to adapt our tech to future trends. So to realistically future-proof a computer, we’re simply looking to choose something that can last around 3-5 years.

Here’s what a future-proofed computer can do for you: you can spend less on your computers. With a computer that can last pretty long, the most that you’ll need to spend on it will be on repairs. Depending on what you choose, you might not even need to spend that much if you run into hardware issues. The bottom line is, the money you spend on computer repairs won’t be as much as a new computer. You might also want to look into computer models that can be accessible for upgrades down the line. Things like hard drive upgrades or extra RAM storage could give you a bit of a boost when you need it. All in all, future-proofing your laptop or desktop computer could be something to think about when you want to get the most out of your tech.

Things to consider

Depending on what you need out of a computer, your criteria for future-proofing can change. Say if you only use your laptop for basic stuff like browsing the internet and word processing, it’s much more simple.

You’ll need to match what you do with the hardware specs of a computer to find something that can keep up. Looking over the different computer brands and models would also be useful. You might also want to find out how the computer is assembled and how accessible it is.

What you intend to use the computer for

Like we just mentioned, it’s easier to get a future-proofed computer if you only need an everyday laptop for basic tasks. Pick something with a solid-state drive (SSD), with at least 4-8 GB of RAM, and you should be set.

For processors, you might want to set yourself with an i3 or i5 Intel processor. You probably won’t need something as powerful as i7 for a personal laptop. Integrated Intel graphics cards should do you just fine, you’ll be able to do some basic photo editing and watch movies smoothly.

For professionals

If you’re looking for something like a workhouse model for professional photo or graphics editing, there’s a little more to consider. An SSD is a good place to start, along with at least 16GB of RAM. Then you might want to go with an Intel i5 or i7 processor and a 2-4 GB dedicated video card.

Take a look at the software that you normally use for work. Software like Adobe Photoshop often have a list of hardware requirements, so you can match what you need when searching for a new computer. These hardware requirements shouldn’t change that often, and these software are usually optimised for hardware. So a laptop or desktop computer that matches these requirements should be able to keep up with the software updates.

What about gaming computers?

Let’s face it, realistically there’s no way to future-proof a gaming computer for it to be able to last 5 years. Gaming specs change a lot at rapid speeds, with new models of graphics cards coming out every few months. It’s easier to future-proof a gaming desktop computer, with it’s tower form factor and all, but you might come across some troubles if you want to keep it top of the line. You’d be switching out upgrades frequently or even be met with incompatible newer parts that you can’t use.

The brand and model of the computer

It’s important to look at the different specs of the model, but also the brand and how it’s assembled. This informs you on the repairability and accessibility for upgrades. Here are a few notable examples of models that you should be aware of.

Apple iMac and tower desktop computers

Considering how powerful Apple iMac computers are, they make for a pretty good future-proofed piece of technology. You can probably tell that from the price tags of most Apple computers. Even the most basic entry-level iMac computers can achieve great performance for graphics editing work.

They have quite a standard level of repairability. You can easily upgrade the hard drive or add more RAM to it. Unfortunately you can’t upgrade the graphics card, but they are already quite powerful, so you won’t have to worry about it.

Business issue laptops

Business issue laptops are made quite powerful as well. Models like HP’s Probook and Elitebook, or Dell’s Latitude or XPS can deliver great performance for most tasks. These are top-of-the-line models that have a great expected lifespan.

Finding out the repairability of a laptop computer

It can be quite a disappointment when you want to add more RAM to your laptop computer, to find out that the RAM is soldered on the motherboard and you can’t do anything beyond that. That’s why the repairability of a laptop is an important thing to factor into your future-proofing process.

When you have a few options to think over, try looking through the specs of the model or look up teardown videos on YouTube. Just search the model of the laptop and “teardown”. There you’ll be able to take a look inside to see how it’s assembled. This determines how accessible it is to repair or upgrade.

Professional future-proofing advice

If you look online, there’s a whole lot of talk on future-proofing computers. There’s tons of tech forums where computer enthusiasts discuss future tech trends, PC building, and so much more. Feeling the information overload? We can help.

At Safemode Computer Service, we can consult you on finding the right computer for what you need. Just tell us what you use the computer for, and we can offer a few recommendations that best suits you. We can advise you on computers that actually works for you. Unlike retail salespeople who try to sell you on something by mumbling techspeak, we actually know what’s for you.

As a trusted computer repair service in Inner West Sydney, we can also help with repairs and upgrades that you might need for your laptop or desktop computer. Give us a call or come by our Enmore store today!

Disk formatting explained: When should I format my hard drive?

What does formatting a hard drive do?

When you want to wipe a hard drive clean, you can do so by formatting the drive. This process wipes all the data on the drive and sets up a new file system, which allows the operating system (OS) to read and write new data on the drive.

Disk formatting is usually done to prepare a new drive for its first use. It prepares the available space for OS installation and use. The three main things that you can do with a disk format is full data removal, file system change, and possibly refresh your computer for better performance.

If you’re looking to recycle or trade in your computer, you’d probably need to perform a disk format beforehand. You’ll be able to wipe out all your data, so it stays out of the hands of others. Disk formatting also installs a new OS onto the drive, so the next user can start out with a clean slate.

You may also try reinstalling your OS when you come across problems on your computer. Disk formatting could possibly solve a number of software issues. You could try doing this to solve problems like BSOD (blue screen of death) or boot errors. If your computer is running a bit slower that you’re used to, reinstalling the OS could also help as well.

With that said, remember to backup your data before you format the drive. As we’ve learnt, disk formatting wipes all the data off the drive, so you might want to get important data off the drive first. If you only have a few files that you need, just drag and drop onto an external hard drive or cloud storage. Alternatively, you may also use File History (Windows) or Time Machine (Apple macOS) to create full backups onto a hard drive.

How to format a hard drive

The easiest way to format and reinstall the OS on a hard drive is through the computer’s built-in recovery mode. Both Windows and Mac computers have recovery modes accessible from boot up, and you can proceed with the disk formatting there. Another way is by going to Settings > Recovery, then resetting your computer from there.

After you’ve backed up the necessary data, restart your computer to enter recovery mode. For Windows laptops and desktop computers, you’ll need to enter the boot menu. That’s F8 for Dell, Esc for HP, and so on. There’s different keys for different brands of computers. For Macs, you’ll need to press both Command and R. Just press the right keys repeatedly when the logo splash screen comes on after you restart the computer.

Then you can choose to reset the PC, or “reinstall macOS” for Mac computers. There should be an option for you to reset the computer and keep the files, but if you’ve backed up your data, you can just choose the option to wipe everything. This process will take a while, so be prepared to have to sit around for a bit.

Using apps to format a hard drive

There are a number of ways to format a hard drive, and that includes disk management on Windows. You can do this on the same computer, or take out the drive and connect it to a different computer. This gets you better control of the process. Then open Disk Management from the Start menu, and you’ll find your drive there.

Make sure you don’t mix up the drives that you see on the app and format a drive that you didn’t mean to. You might want to rename the drive before you connect it to another computer. After selecting the drive that you want formatted, you can choose to format it.

Can data be recovered after the disk is formatted?

So you might have formatted a USB drive or hard drive by accident, and lost data as a result. The data has been deleted, but can sometimes be recovered. In most cases, data recovery doesn’t work all the time, but some files can still be salvaged.

Unfortunately for hard drives that have been formatted and have a new OS installed, the chances for data recovery are much slimmer. After a period of use, data sectors where files used to be become overwritten by new information. So the data that used to be on that sector is completely gone. Same goes for deleted files. Once they are overwritten, the data can’t be recovered.

Cleaning up the drive for more space Vs. cleaning up for better performance

So now we know that formatting a hard drive removes everything altogether. This prepares everything for a clean OS installation. But if you’re just looking to find more storage space out of your drive, you definitely don’t need to format it. You simply need to look for certain unused files and delete them, or move larger files onto an external storage device.

One thing to be sure though, cleaning files does not help to improve your computer’s performance. A lot of computer users think having a lot of files on their computers will slow it down, but it’s actually more about the programs installed on the drive. So giving the drive a clean slate can help with its performance. It won’t be a huge improvement though, since hard drives do lose performance over time. A hard drive replacement or an SSD upgrade would do much better for performance.

How to clean up storage space on your computer

Disk cleanup apps

System cleanup or disk cleanup on Windows computers is a built-in tool to help you scan your computer for unused files or previous installation files that you can remove. After a quick scan, you can pick and choose things to clean up your hard disk.

This is a Windows-only app, Apple computers don’t have such a function to help clean up your hard drive. You may try out third-party disk cleanup apps like CC Clean to help identify unused files that can be cleaned for more space.

Look for large media files

Cleaning up documents won’t have that much of an effect as they don’t take up much space usually. Their file sizes are a mere nothing compared to media files like photos and videos. Same goes for installed programs, which usually don’t take up much space. You’re free to uninstall apps that you don’t use anymore, as that can free up some space for the OS to work better.

Look through your media files and go from there. You can transfer them to an external hard drive, or upload them to the cloud. Uploading them to the cloud might take a while depending on your internet speeds, but it’s a secure backup that’s always accessible. As long as you have an internet connection, that is.

The wind-up

Now that you know what formatting does, you can confidently decide what you want to do depending on your data needs. Just know that if you’re looking to refresh your computer and make it run better, try formatting the drive and reinstalling the OS. Otherwise, simply deleting files off the drive won’t do much except clean out some storage space.

If you’re looking to recover data off of a formatted drive, or need some guidance on transferring your data to a new computer, we can help! At Safemode Computer Service, we offer expert advice and solutions to any computer issue you may come across. We have a “no fix, no fee” policy on all computers from Windows PCs to Apple MacBooks and iMac desktops (Ts & Cs apply). We are located conveniently in Enmore, Sydney, a quick stop from the CBD and the Inner West. Got a question about data recovery? Call us today or stop by our Enmore story today!

What to do with an old MacBook laptop

Consider what you want to do with your old MacBook

Does the MacBook still work?

If the MacBook still works, you can choose to upgrade its hardware. This is a great cost-effective way to breathe new life into an old laptop. Sometimes you only need to upgrade a small part of the laptop just for it to work like new again.

If that’s not the case and the MacBook doesn’t work nor turn on at all, you can consider getting it repaired, upgraded, or recycled. It all just depends on what you’d like to do with it.

Repair and upgrade costs

The repair costs of each MacBook can differ. If you only need the hard drive replaced, or you want to put more RAM in, it shouldn’t cost a lot. What you can definitely be sure is, these repairs or upgrade costs won’t cost more than buying a new MacBook laptop.

A new entry-level MacBook Pro costs at least $2000, but if you just put in some useful upgrades to an old MacBook, you might be able to get great performance from it. This is only the case for Mac users who use their laptops for basic stuff like internet browsing and general word processing. If you do more than like, say things like graphics or video editing, then repairing or upgrading this old MacBook would probably be not that useful for yourself. Still, you could get a bit of cash if you upgrade and resell the Mac.

If you don’t want to go through all this hassle, you might as well trade the MacBook in at a computer repair shop. Most computer repair shops do this, so they can refurbish and resell the laptop, or they’ll just take it in for spare parts.

So now you have a few options for your old MacBook: upgrade it for better performance, repair or upgrade to resell it, or recycle the laptop as e-waste. Before you do anything to the Mac, you might want to check the MacBook with Apple Diagnostics, to test for any possible hardware faults. Backing up any important data would also be helpful. You might not be able to do much if the Mac doesn’t turn on or boot up properly, but you could still try it out.

Apple Diagnostics

As a simple hardware testing tool, Apple Diagnostics can help you quickly review your Mac’s hardware. So you can be aware of anything you need to fix up. Sometimes even if the Mac turns on and seems to work well, something could be wrong with it and you might not even be aware of it. It’ll only take a few moments, and could also inform your decision on what you want to do with the Mac.

To start Apple Diagnostics, restart your Mac and press the “D” key to trigger it. After a language selection page, it should automatically start testing your hardware. The test will look into hardware such as the hard drive, battery, and RAM. Any problems found will be reported with some support solutions.

Backing up data

Whether you’re upgrading the MacBook for yourself or to resell, or simply throwing it out, backing up the data on the hard drive is an important step. It’s also a great computing habit to keep, for any of your devices.

You can choose from an external hard drive, or just put it all up in the cloud. This keeps your data safe, and makes the upgrade process much smoother as you won’t have to worry about data loss or recovery.

Useful upgrades to boost your MacBook’s performance

Replacing the hard drive with flash storage

Flash storage, also known as a solid-state drive (SSD), is pretty much the standard on new MacBook models these days. They are much faster and more durable than traditional hard drives (HDD). Performance wise, flash storage can get you speeds up to 16x faster than an HDD.

Replacing a hard drive with flash storage is one of the easier computer repair jobs, so much so that you can even do it yourself. Older MacBooks are often more repair-friendly than the newer ones, so you should manage just fine. Remember to choose a flash storage model that is compatible with macOS, or else the drive might not work.

Adding more RAM for better multitasking functions

RAM (Random-access memory) is essential for even computing performance. Information that you need while you’re working is stored temporarily on the RAM, so it is readily available whenever you need it.

These days for most computer users, the minimum required amount of RAM is 4GB. It should get you through basic computing tasks. The recommended amount of RAM for a relatively smoother experience is at least 8GB.

Adding more RAM to an old Mac could also give you a better performance, for multitasking purposes. So this option could also be a way to refresh your old Mac. Just make sure that your RAM isn’t embedded on the logic board. If that is the case, you might not be able to add RAM capacity to your Mac. You can check this by opening up the Mac and look for where the memory chips are set.

Battery replacement

The battery pack on a MacBook doesn’t have an effect on its performance, but a battery replacement could be beneficial to the Mac’s lifespan.

Laptop batteries can be charged over and over without losing their capacity, but they are still a consumable part. Once it reaches more than 400 charging cycles, the battery can start to fail. It may lose charge, or carry no charge at all. In some more serious cases, these lithium-ion batteries can become extremely volatile and leak hazardous liquid or catch on fire.

So you might want to check the Mac’s battery status to see whether it needs a replacement. You can check this by going to System information, and clicking the battery tab. There you can find the battery charging cycle count. If your Mac’s battery needs replacing, it should show you a warning saying “service battery”, “replace soon”, or “replace now”. Either way, getting a battery replacement for your old MacBook can add to its lifespan substantially.

Recycling or trading in your old MacBook

If you don’t really need the Mac anymore and want to get rid of the clutter in your house, you could consider recycling the laptop as e-waste. Alternatively, you could also trade in at a computer repair shop.

In Australia, e-waste can be recycled for free. Check with your local council to see when the next e-waste drop off days are. Or you can also book a free pick-up service for any of your unwanted electronics. This includes laptops, desktops, and household appliances.

Trading in a laptop at a store could also be an option if you don’t want to go through the trouble of having to list your laptop online yourself. Computer repair shops like us are able to take in old computers for refurbishment or for its spare parts. If you just want to get rid of the Mac quickly and possibly get some cash out of it, then trading in at a computer repair shop is your best bet.

Before you recycle or trade in your old MacBook, make sure you take out the hard drive, or destroy it. That way there’s no chance that others can access your data. Simply take out the hard drive and give it a few whacks with a hammer. Then you can make sure that it’s completely safe to say goodbye to the Mac.

Professional repairs at Safemode Computer Service

Got an old MacBook laptop that you still don’t know what to do with yet? You can take it right down to us. At Safemode Computer Service in Inner West Sydney, we can offer the right advice for your old devices. We can help you access the laptop and see what we can do to suit your needs. If you’d like to trade in the laptop, we also offer tech recycling services. Even if the laptop is beyond repair, certain spare parts might still be viable.

As a trusted computer repair service in Sydney, our friendly technicians are always happy to help with any computer problem that you have, from desktop PCs to MacBook laptops. Come by our Enmore store or call us today!

5 ways to make your laptop last longer

Properly caring for your laptop is always a great habit to keep. Not only does it keep your laptop in shape, it could also make your laptop last longer. In this guide, we’ll be covering some tips and trick to help prolong the lifespan of your laptop.

1. Do software fixes

Your laptop could run into some software issues from time to time, which could lead to certain problems with drivers or boot up. That’s why it’s important to update its software and drivers so it can keep running smoothly. This is something you might want to try if your laptop is running a little slow, or when you’re getting errors like the “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD).

Other than software and driver updates, you can also try reinstalling the OS or resetting your laptop back to factory settings. This is the easiest way to refresh your laptop, as everything is removed and goes back to its default state. You may also have some software and applications that you don’t use anymore still installed on the laptop. Use this opportunity to get rid of these long forgotten apps. They take up space, and your OS could use the refresher as well.

How to reset your laptop

Windows

There are a few options for Windows laptops when it comes to resets. You can choose from resetting to factory settings, reinstalling Windows, or simply do it from the recovery screen at boot.

To reset your Windows laptop to factory settings, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. There you’ll find the “Reset your PC” option. You can choose to keep your files, or get rid of everything, then reinstall Windows. This option can sometimes help with PCs that aren’t running well.

Other than from Settings, you can also try reinstalling a clean version of Windows from a bootable USB. Just make sure you have everything you need before doing so. Now would also be a good time to back up all your personal files to an external hard drive or to cloud storage.

Apple Macbooks

Macbook laptops have a much more straightforward process to software resets. Simply restart your Mac and press Command + R. The macOS Utilities window should show up, then you can pick “Reinstall macOS”. This may bring you to a language selection page, and then your Mac will download and install the right version of macOS for you.

2. Clean your laptop

Cleaning your laptop from time to time can help prevent overheating and the complications that come after that. Getting rid of dust and moisture is a great way to take care of your laptop.

Clumps of dust and crumbs accumulated inside the laptop can trap heat and make things harder for the fan. This can lead to fan overexertion and overheating issues. Moisture trapped inside the laptop can not only cause liquid damage, but also rust up certain parts of the motherboard and the keyboard.

To clean your laptop, use cleaning tools like compressed air, rubbing alcohol, and fine brushes. This helps you reach the small gaps between components and remove any moisture with the alcohol solution. Simply open up your laptop and dust that dust. You only need to do this every six to twelve months, so it shouldn’t be that big of a chore anyway.

3. Run general diagnostics

One way to be prepared for possible errors is by running general diagnostics on your laptop’s hardware. You might be able to catch problems early, before they get serious and cause bigger problems like a data loss or a complete crash. That way you can deal with them and keep your system in tip top shape.

To run general diagnostics, you can choose to use the pre-boot diagnostics tool that is built-in on almost all laptops. All you need to do is restart your laptop and press a specific button (Esc for HP, F12 for Dell, D for Apple). That will trigger boot diagnostics and start tests on your laptop’s hardware. It will test hardware such as the battery, hard drive, and RAM. You can then deal with any possible problems that the system reports.

Other than pre-boot diagnostics, branded tech support apps like Dell’s SupportAssist or HP’s Support Assistant could also be a great way to maintain your laptop’s health. These apps should come pre-installed on your laptop, so they’re pretty handy if you just want a quick checkup. You can also contact tech support directly from there too!

4. Replace your hard drive

Your laptop’s hard drive is the main storage device of the computer. This is where all your files are stored, and where the OS and all other software is installed. In other words, almost everything runs from the hard drive.

Unfortunately, hard drives do start to fail after 3-4 years, and its performance drops significantly. They accumulate these pesky little things called bad sectors, which permanently damage the drive bit by bit. Once it gets to a point where the bad sectors are intolerable, the hard drive will fall. You might notice errors like BSODs, or experience issues with start up. This doesn’t necessarily mean your whole laptop is dying, as you can fix this just by replacing the drive.

A hard drive replacement is quite a popular computer upgrade option. They don’t cost that much, and are easy to do. You don’t need to be a professional computer technician to replace your own hard drive.

You can replace the drive with the exact same model to be safe, or you could also upgrade to a better and compatible hard drive. Upgrading from an HDD to an SSD could be a great option too, if you’re looking for a bigger boost in performance and durability. SSDs offer much better performance, as they are up to 16 times faster than a traditional spinning drive. Replacing your hard drive can refresh your device and continue the overall lifespan of your laptop.

5. Look after your battery health

Replacing the battery of your laptop early could prevent the risk of it leaking or expanding when it does start to fail. These two symptoms of a dead battery are quite dangerous to deal with, and could damage the rest of the laptop as well. It’s important to pay attention to your laptop’s battery health so this doesn’t happen to you.

The lithium-ion batteries inside our laptops are made to be recharged over and over again without losing charge or overcharging. You could go through hundreds of charging cycles and they’d still work great.

Of course, things aren’t perfect, and these batteries will start to fail once it reaches a high cycle count. Then the battery could lose charge or not charge at all. Or it could get more risky, as we’ve learnt.

A high cycle count could be somewhere above 700 recharge cycles. That would be an appropriate stage to replace the battery with a new one. Still, there’s no guarantee as we do find that batteries with low cycle counts can also stop working suddenly.

Apple MacBook users should pay attention to certain error messages like “service battery” or “replace battery now”. You might also be able to check the recharge cycle count on your Mac as well. The message “plugged in, not charging” would also be something to look into for Windows users.

Need a laptop repair? We can help

Computer issues can put you in such a pickle sometimes, and that’s something we certainly understand. That’s why we’re always here to help! Our helpful computer repair technicians at Safemode Computer Service can offer you advice and solutions to any computer issue. We are a highly-rated repair service in the Sydney area, with our trusted and dependable services. Bring your laptop or desktop computers in our Enmore store, and we can do an initial check and free quote. You may also book an appointment at our store, which is a quick stop from surrounding suburbs of Newtown and Marrickville.

7 questions about your hard drive that you’ve always wanted to ask

We use our hard drives everyday on our laptop and desktop computers, but most people still have things they don’t know about their drives. Have you ever wondered what wiping the drive does to your data? Or how bad sectors can damage your hard drive?

All those questions and more will be answered in our following guide. Here’s the 7 biggest questions about hard drives, answered.

1. Is data on a formatted drive gone forever?

So you’ve accidentally formatted a drive that you didn’t intend to. Or you forgot to back it up before you did. Not to worry, data on a formatted drive is not gone forever, and can usually be recovered.

This is where data recovery services or software can help you. As long as the drive is still in one piece and that the data was not on a damaged part of the drive, you should be able to recover it. This is only possible if you haven’t started using the formatted drive though. When the data sectors are overwritten, you probably can’t recover old data.

2. Can magnets wipe a hard drive?

This is more of an urban myth. It has some truth to it though, even if it doesn’t apply anymore. Back then, consumer computer storage was mainly in the form of floppy disks. These were storage devices that can be wiped with a magnet. This information was then passed down and applied to future storage drives, which led to this urban legend.

Computer storage technology has come a long way since then, and many advancements have surely been made. Hard drives are way more sturdier than floppy disks, and can’t be wiped with simple magnets. So you certainly don’t have to worry about those fridge magnets lying around your workspace. Unless you work with industrial-strength magnets then, because that’s a different story.

3. Do hard drives last forever?

Hard drives are indeed pretty sturdy with its metal casing and all, but they don’t “last forever”. Yes they can last pretty long, up to 5 years time. However, while they can still work and last long, their performance will drop significantly within that period. So no, they do not last forever.

Bad sectors cause permanent damage on the hard drive and this can lead to data corruption and loss. This is something all computer users can’t avoid. Bad sectors come from things like physical damage and logical faults, and will accumulate over time. Some of these bad sectors, like soft bad sectors, can be repaired. But it’s not the same for physically damaged parts.

When it gets to a point where bad sectors are so spread out across the drive, the drive will start to fail. You may start to experience errors in startup or notice a drop in performance. The only solution to this problem is to replace the drive entirely with a new one.

4. Can abrupt power shutdowns cause bad sectors?

When an abrupt power shutdown happens, like a hard shutdown or sudden power cut, the hard drive also loses its power source. In situations like this, if the hard drive is in the middle of writing data on the disk, it may create bad sectors.

The good thing is though, these should only be logical bad sectors, also known as soft bad sectors. Unlike hard bad sectors, soft bad sectors can be repaired with disk repair software. Even so, it’s always safer to keep this from happening and turn off your computer properly whenever you can.

5. Will wiping the drive get rid of bad sectors?

We all want to get rid of bad sectors. Keeping the hard drive from accumulating bad sectors is an important part of its care. Some might try wiping the drive entirely to get rid of these pesky bad sectors. Unfortunately, that will not work.

Bad sectors are physically damaged parts of a hard drive. This sort of damage is also irreversible. All you can do in this situation is to repair soft bad sectors and mark bad sectors off from the drive.

6. Are SSDs indestructible?

While SSDs do boast much better durability and longer life spans over traditional hard disk drives, they are not entirely indestructible. Solid-state drives are lightweight storage devices that do not contain moving machinery to work. This makes them sturdier and is the superior storage device.

SSDs may not be prone to shock damage or any sort of machinery-related issues, but they are susceptible to other kinds of damage. This includes extreme temperatures. SSDs are more vulnerable to overheating damage than spinning drives, which only rely on spinning rotors to work. Heat can damage the circuitry or memory chips on the SSD. It’s a good idea, not just for the sake of the SSD, to keep your system cooled efficiently. This benefits the whole system, and keeps your computing experience smooth.

7. How many backups do I need?

You definitely need at least one backup. The more the better, actually. You never know what could happen. The external hard drive might fail, or you might find yourself in a situation without an internet connection.

Backups in general are very useful for all computer users. Hard drive failure is a common computer issue that can happen at any time. You could find yourself with corrupted or lost files, or even a complete hard drive failure. To prevent this sort of tragedy from happening, having a backup would really help.

You can choose from offline backups like external hard drives, or online backups on cloud-based storage services. Both are great options that can suit the needs of every computer user.

Got more questions?

We’re happy to help! Safemode Computer Service is a trusted computer repair service in Sydney, and we can definitely help with any computer issue you have. From laptops to desktop PCs and Macs, our experienced technicians can offer you advice and the right solutions. We are conveniently located in Enmore, Inner West Sydney. Come by our store or call us for a chat today!

How to save your laptop from liquid damage

If you paid attention in grade school science, then you should know that liquids and electricity don’t mix. We know what can happen when you touch a lightswitch when wet hands, and that same accident can happen when you spill something on your laptop. It can also cause significant damage to the electronic circuits on your laptop.

When these accidents happen, it’s always important not to panic, and always put your safety before the laptop. At the same time, there are also ways to save your laptop from liquid spill damage, as much as you can.

What happens to my laptop after I’ve spilled something on it?

Sometimes an innocent knock from your arm can tip your drink right all over your keyboard. It happens, sometimes these things just do. Just how much trouble are you in? Depending on the type of liquid and how much of it was spilled on the laptop, it can go from completely fine to completely dead. Let’s see why.

Steer clear of these liquids

As computer technicians who have been in the game for a long time, we’ve repaired a fair few liquid spill damaged laptops. It’s not just water spills too, we’ve seen different kinds of liquid damage from coffee, wine, or even seawater. The amount of liquid could also affect the scope of the damage on your laptop. It could be just a splash of water, or a flood from leaving it out near an open window during a rainstorm.

Some common kinds of liquid spills include water, coffee, wine, or soft drinks. Naturally, the more pure the type of liquid, the less trouble it will bring. With drinks like water and black coffee, repairs jobs are quite manageable. This is because it does not leave much residue that needs cleaning up when the liquid evaporates naturally. In certain cases, laptops with water spills can survive without needing any repair work. Still, water can definitely damage or rust up the circuitry and connective points on your laptop.

Sugary drinks and corrosive liquids on the other hand though, are much trickier to handle. These not only ruin electronics, they also leave behind sugary residue that can stick up and ruin your keyboard. This makes it harder to clean the laptop. Even if your keyboard does survive, the sugary substances can cause sticky keys and wreck the keyboards mechanisms.

Corrosive liquids like beer and seawater do the most damage. If these liquids get into the motherboard, they can corrode the connective points and complex circuitry on it. The motherboard is the nervous system of a computer, so this sort of damage could possibly kill your laptop entirely.

Some accidents are hard to avoid, but it’s still a good idea to get a good understanding of what could happen to your laptop if it does happen. It might also make you more careful of your surroundings while you use your laptop too.

What not to do after you’ve spilled on your laptop

You may have heard of certain urban myths or hacks to clean and fix liquid spill damages. Some people may tell you to soak your laptop in a tub of uncooked rice. It is believed that rice can absorb the liquid in the laptop and fix it.

A laptop has a lot of complex components that can’t possibly be saved by rice. This will even bring in starch and dust into the laptop. After a liquid spill, you can’t necessarily undo what’s already damaged with these repair hacks. You might even cause more damage with the rich dust and starch inside the laptop.

What to do after you’ve spilled on your laptop

We’ve mentioned this before, but remember to keep a cool head when dealing with accidents. First thing you should do after you’ve gotten your laptop wet is to turn it off first. Don’t worry about properly shutting it down, just press and hold the power button until it shuts off. We have to be quick and dirty about this.

Remove the laptop from the wet surface, and disconnect it from the power adaptor if it is still connected. If your laptop has a removable battery, take that out too. You should also disconnect other peripherals like USB drives and mice. They draw power from your laptop, so it’s better to be safe.

Now that you’re safe from electrical shock, you can try wiping off the liquid on the laptop’s surface with a lint-free cloth. Turn it upside down to drain and dry, and that’s it.

Run diagnostics on your hardware

After the above steps, you might just be able to turn on your laptop again. If not, you should probably take it to a professional instead.

If you can turn your laptop on and it still runs, the next step is to run diagnostics on your hardware to access the damage. Sometimes it’s not apparent how much of your laptop is affected by the liquid damage, so it’s a good idea to run checks on your system.

Most computers have a built-in diagnostic tool that runs before your laptop boots up. This is known as boot diagnostics, or pre-boot diagnostics. It’s a simple and basic tool you can use to find possible faults and errors on your hardware. You can test parts on your laptop like the hard drive, RAM, or battery.

To run boot diagnostics, you’ll need to press a key specific to your laptop’s brand. This might be “D” if you have a Macbook laptop, or “F12” for Dell, “Esc” for HP, and “Enter” for Lenovo, Acer, Asus, and IBM. Press and hold this key after restarting your computer to run the tests. Your laptop will then detect and report any possible errors on your hardware.

If you do find errors, you should then take it to a computer repair shop. Liquid spill repairs are quite complicated and difficult to perform, especially on parts like the motherboard and keyboard. For badly damaged laptops that are completely dead from liquid spills, it’s best to check with a repair shop to see whether it’s salvageable.

Liquid spill repairs is a common laptop repairs that we see every week, including Apple computers. It may surprise you but this is very common. If you’ve spilled water onto your laptop, you’re not alone. In fact, I’m guilty of this too. I spilled an entire cup of hot coffee onto my Dell laptop.