Sharon Lee, Author at Safemode Computer Service Computer Laptop Notebook Repair, Apple Mac Repair Centre Thu, 14 Dec 2023 04:29:15 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 Should I repair or replace my computer? https://safemode.com.au/repair-vs-replace-computer/ https://safemode.com.au/repair-vs-replace-computer/#disqus_thread Mon, 07 Feb 2022 06:38:10 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18867 Should I repair or replace my computer?As computer technician who has seen so many computers and done thousands of computer repairs, I've certainly been asked “Is my computer worth fixing, or should I just buy a new one?” many times.When it comes to "Repairs VS Replace", some think you should repair while others think you

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Should I repair or replace my computer?

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

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

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

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

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

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

But, there are times when you should consider replacing.

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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.

repairs or replace 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Is my computer worth fixing though?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Useful computer upgrades for better performance

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

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

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

Replacing HDD with SSD

Samsung SSD

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blazing fast with NVMe SSD

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

How fast?

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

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

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

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

Adding more RAM to your computer

RAM memory chips on motherboard

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

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

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

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

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

Can my old computer handle the latest apps?

In most cases, Yes!

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

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

What a trusted repair service can do for you

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

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

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

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

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

When to replace your computer

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

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

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

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

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

Your laptop data can be rescued without fixing the computer

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

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

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

Planned obsolescence?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

macbook pro laptop

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

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

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

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

Computer advice at Safemode Computer Service

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

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

Need same-day computer repairs and IT services?

Safemode Computer Service is rated in the Best 3 computer repair centers in Sydney from 2016 to 2023. Walk-in or book an appointment to get a Free quote today.

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6 Reasons Why My Computer is Slow and How to Troubleshoot https://safemode.com.au/fix-slow-computer/ https://safemode.com.au/fix-slow-computer/#disqus_thread Sat, 15 Jan 2022 07:24:45 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=17256 6 Reasons Why My Computer is Slow and How to TroubleshootHave you ever asked yourself at least one of these questions? Why is my computer suddenly slow? Why is my computer slow to respond? Why is my omputer slow in starting up, slow to load, slow for no reason, slow in the first 1o minutes,

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6 Reasons Why My Computer is Slow and How to Troubleshoot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

startup apps slow down computer

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.

Need same-day computer repairs and IT services?

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

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

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

How do I know if my computer has a virus?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hardware replacement or upgrades to significantly speed up your computer

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

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

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

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

CPU

Upgrade CPU to troubleshoot slow computer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nvidia video card GPU for desktop computer

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

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

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

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

RAM memory chips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hard drive replacement

2.5-inch hdd hard drive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A SSD will troubleshoot slow computer and speed it up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Water damage

Yes, water damages can make your computer slow too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

macbook pro water spill

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

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

Checking your computer for possible problems

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

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

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

Running diagnostics on your laptop or desktop computer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Need same-day computer repairs and IT services?

Safemode Computer Service is rated in the Best 3 computer repair centers in Sydney from 2016 to 2023. Walk-in or book an appointment to get a Free quote today.

Getting professional help to troubleshoot your slow computer

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learn more about our award-winning computer repairs.

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10 Computer pro tips for better laptop care https://safemode.com.au/laptop-care/ https://safemode.com.au/laptop-care/#disqus_thread Tue, 03 Nov 2020 00:33:50 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18898 10 Computer pro tips for better laptop careWant 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 properlyMost people just close their laptop’s lid once they’re done for the day. It’s super quick, the

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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

back up external hard drive plugged in

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

Woman using laptop on study desk

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

Windows laptop keyboard and touchpad

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.

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“Leave it to the experts”: Computer hardware issues you probably shouldn’t repair by yourself https://safemode.com.au/professional-computer-repairs/ https://safemode.com.au/professional-computer-repairs/#disqus_thread Thu, 22 Oct 2020 05:47:59 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18890 “Leave it to the experts”: Computer hardware issues you probably shouldn’t repair by yourselfSome computer repairs are pretty easy and can be done by a beginner. Repairs like hard drive replacements on most Windows laptops don’t require many tools or a high skill level to complete. These kinds of computer repairs are the kind that

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“Leave it to the experts”: Computer hardware issues you probably shouldn’t repair by yourself

Some computer repairs are pretty easy and can be done by a beginner. Repairs like hard drive replacements on most Windows laptops don’t require many tools or a high skill level to complete. These kinds of computer repairs are the kind that we encourage a lot of computer users to do, as they won’t take you too long and can save you money.

Repairs that need a lot of specific tools and parts are a little bit more complicated. Some might even require a high skill level in computer repair. Professional technicians can take better care of your common computer hardware issues. That’s because repair techs have all the tools needed at the ready, and work in a safe and organized environment.

If you’re looking to get into computer repair, pc hardware problem detection, or even PC building, getting a sturdy set of tools would be a great investment. Take a look at a few guides on sites like ifixit to learn more about tech repair while you’re at it. But if you’re not looking to continue in computer hardware troubleshooting and repairing all by yourself, you probably don’t need to buy all the tools just for one repair project. It might not be worth it for a single repair project.

For complicated repairs that call for specific tools, we recommend just bringing them to a professional, especially if the situation involved computer hardware related issues and solutions. Let’s take a look and the kinds of computer hardware issues that you probably shouldn’t try to resolve by yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered how professional computer repairers diagnose computers, and execute a safe computer hardware troubleshooting ,you can see 7 best tools to test computers (The best one is FREE). It’ll amaze you.

1. Faulty laptop battery replacement

First off, laptop batteries are considered hazardous products and should only be handled by professionals. Faulty batteries can expand and leak poisonous liquid or gas. As experienced technicians, we’ve seen a fair share of batteries spontaneously getting very hot and catching on fire while replacing them. There’s also a chance that a faulty battery can fry the motherboard.

There’s also a chance of accidentally breaking other parts of the laptop while disassembling the laptop. This is especially for slim Ultrabook models. The battery packs are a lot slimmer and the parts of the laptop are tightly compressed together. This makes it harder to repair, when you have to be so careful in case you break something.

2. Motherboard failure

Motherboard, or logic board

Motherboard issues are, to say the least, difficult to deal with. They are both hard to diagnose and repair. This is because the motherboard as a circuit board, has no direct way to test for faults. It has to be confirmed by testing for and eliminating other possible hardware faults in parts like the hard drive, RAM, or video card. This can take a while if your computer is completely dead and you need to take the parts out to test them.

Another thing is that when you need to get your motherboard fixed, you’ll usually need to replace the whole thing. This requires you to almost completely disassemble everything on your computer. The motherboard is the main circuit board of the computer, where everything is connected to each other. As you have to disconnect everything and put them back together, the process is very tough, even for an experienced technician.

One thing that some computer repair technicians do for dead motherboards is a component-level repair. This is a repair process that replaces small parts of the motherboard, instead of the whole board. Because of its high difficulty, only certain computer repair services offer such repairs.

3. MacBook and Ultrabook keyboard replacement

Backlit keyboard light up

A lot of MacBook and Ultrabook models feature slim and portable designs that are great for working on the go. This however, comes with the cost of lowered repairability. There’s a higher risk of accidentally breaking something while disassembling the laptop to get to the keyboard.

Apple MacBook laptops are also often made with Apple’s proprietary pentalobe screws. This requires specific tools. If you already have a set of regular computer screwdrivers, they won’t cut it. You’ll need the tools specifically for Apple computers.

4. Laptop screens

Macbook laptop screen

A lot of modern laptop screens, especially Ultrabooks, are made slimmer and slimmer to match the whole sleek look of the device. As we can expect with these delicate and slim parts, they are quite fragile even when they are brand new.

The trend with modern laptop screens is using glue and double-sided tape to put things together, rather than screws. Without an accessible way to disassemble the laptop’s screen, you’ll need tools like an opening pick and a heat pad to remove the glue.

Like most laptop repairs, you’ll also need to disconnect the battery when you’re replacing the laptop screen. This is for your own safety and to eliminate the chance of blowing the motherboard. The extra tools and effort you need to put into fixing the screen isn’t quite worth it for a DIY project.

5. Most iMac repairs

iMac desktop computers are all-in-one computers. There’s no separate tower, everything’s just inside the whole thing. That makes repairs a little bit complicated, when you have to open up the entire screen to get to anything. It’s especially complicated when some parts are assembled under the logic board. RAM repairs or upgrades fall under this shortcoming, as the RAM is only accessible under the logic board.

To get under the screen of an iMac, you’ll need the specific opening pick and suction cup tools, then the double-sided tape designed only for iMacs to put it back together. This tape is pretty hard to find online, so you might want to get help through a repair technician.

Hard drive repair

So that’s 5 computer hardware issues that you probably should leave up to the experts. We’re not just advising you as repair techs who offer a service, but also as repair techs who understand the difficulty of certain issues. Indeed, pc hardware maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair is no joke!

A lot of times we get clients with computers displaying pc hardware failure symptoms, causing them to try and fix the problem all by themselves, but made the situation even worse. Understanding what you can do and what you should do with these repairs are very important. When accidents happen during a DIY repair project, they can often make things even harder to fix. There are a few common mistakes that amateur home repairers make while trying to fix a problem on their computer.

We’re always here to help. As a highly-rated computer repair service in Sydney, we can help you diagnose and repair any computer issue. From Apple Macbooks to laptops and desktop PCs, we’re experts in the field. Our friendly repair technicians can also offer advice on computer upgrades, virus removal, and more. Give us a call at 1800 85 83 82 or come on down to our Inner West store today!

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Computer future-proofing explained: Why future-proofing is so popular https://safemode.com.au/buying-computer/ https://safemode.com.au/buying-computer/#disqus_thread Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:01:20 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18881 Computer future-proofing explained: Why future-proofing is so popularWhat 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

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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

nvidia video card GPU on motherboard

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

iMac desktop 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!

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Laptop cleaning guide: How to safely clean your laptop https://safemode.com.au/how-to-clean-laptop/ https://safemode.com.au/how-to-clean-laptop/#disqus_thread Fri, 09 Oct 2020 04:13:10 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18873 Laptop cleaning guide: How to safely clean your laptopCleaning your laptop and devices is something a lot of computer users forget to do all the time. We’re sometimes not aware of the dust or lint that can clump up inside our computers. This can create problems down the line and should be dealt with quickly.

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Laptop cleaning guide: How to safely clean your laptop

Cleaning your laptop and devices is something a lot of computer users forget to do all the time. We’re sometimes not aware of the dust or lint that can clump up inside our computers. This can create problems down the line and should be dealt with quickly. Here’s our guide to safely cleaning your laptop inside and out.

Things that need to be cleaned off

Dust

Dust can get on and inside the laptop and cause some pretty big problems, if you’re not careful enough. A little dust inside is fine, but you should probably prevent it from accumulating.

When dust bunnies clump up inside the laptop, it can trap heat that is harmful to the system. While you use your laptop, the processor and video card can generate a significant amount of heat that needs to be dispersed quickly and efficiently. That’s where the fan comes in. The heat sink transfers the heat generated by the processors to the laptop fans, which passes out from the vents.

If dust is trapped inside the laptop and blocks the vents, this will make it harder for the fans to get rid of the heat. This may elevate the risk of overheating, something you definitely want to avoid. That’s because an overheating laptop can cause fan and motherboard failures.

Food crumbs

Food crumbs and glass of milk on tablecloth

We all do it at some point. Eating over our laptop keyboards has become a bit of a habit today. We’ve become so reliant on our devices that daily activities revolve around them. But, the food crumbs that land onto your keyboard can find its way inside the laptop and cause trouble for the keyboard.

Unless you have a keyboard protector, food crumbs can get inside the laptop through the tiny gaps between the keys and the inside of the laptop. Crumbs that are particularly hard can jam up the keys and further damage the keyboard.

Meanwhile, sugary foods can make the connective parts of the keyboard sticky, which makes typing very inconvenient. Not to mention that it can attract bugs as well. We’ve certainly opened quite a few computers up to find creepy crawlies inside. Not something you’d want to deal with.

Skin oils

You’ll find these especially on the surfaces of your laptop, especially visible on glass-paneled screens. Fingerprints and skin oils transferred from your hands can stay on your laptop for quite a while, and are quite noticeable.

It’s not that this is something that can directly harm your computer, but this might be something you still want to clean off. You can really tell a lot about a person depending on how their laptops look.

Germs

Because of how much we use our devices, our smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers are high contact surfaces. This means that they are magnets for germs. Germs and possibly viruses can live in these surfaces for many hours, so you might want to give them a clean for good measure.

What you need

microfibre cloth for cleaning electronics laptop

Cleaning your laptop isn’t like cleaning any other appliance, you’ll need a few specific tools and some careful hands to do so. Here’s what you need to clean your laptop thoroughly:

Compressed air can — For blowing out debris. Usually comes with a small nozzle that can reach dust stuck between small gaps.

Lint-free cloth — Microfibre cloth that doesn’t leave behind lint or cloth fibres. Most commonly used for wiping glasses and electronics, or car detailing.

Rubbing alcohol — Also known as isopropyl alcohol, a cleaning solution that can clear greasy surfaces and moisture. Can be used as disinfectant as well.

Precision screwdrivers — To open up your laptop’s back cover. Make sure you’ve got the right screwdrivers, as some laptop models make use of branded proprietary screws.

Small brush (optional ) — If you already can manage to blow out dust with the canned air, this won’t be necessary. Still a useful tool for cleaning if needed.

Thermal paste (optional) — This allows efficient transfer of heat through the heat sink and processors. You’ll need to partially disassemble these parts to reapply thermal paste.

Alternatively, you could also look online for ‘laptop cleaning kits’ that often contain a few of the items mentioned above. These could come in handy if you don’t have any of these things lying around at home.

How to clean your laptop

With the tools needed, you can finally start cleaning your laptop. Make sure you’re in a clean environment before you do so too. Clear out your desk and prepare a small bowl or tin to store the screws so you don’t lose them while you’re cleaning out the laptop.

Remember to turn off your laptop and disconnect its charger as well. This protects you from any static electricity accidents.

Cleaning the exterior surfaces of your laptop

Once you’ve done all your preparations, use the compressed air to blow on the surface of the keyboard. Try to blow out all the bits inside out of the keyboard.

After this, dampen the cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the surfaces of the laptop. The keyboard, screen, top cover, all of it. If you use any computer peripherals like a wireless mouse or keyboard, do that too. This should dry off quickly and we can move on to the inside of the laptop.

Cleaning the interior of your laptop

Now this is where we have to be extra careful. Unscrew the back cover of your laptop and store the screws in the container that you’ve prepared. Then use the compressed air and give the laptop a good blow out.

The two main areas to take care of are the air vents and the fan. The vents should be at the sides or back of the laptop. Make sure you clear out any dust bunnies that block the vents and the fan. This is where heat is dispersed so it’ll need clear access.

If you’ve got the tools already, you could also partially disassemble the parts that connect the heat sink and processors to reapply thermal paste. Wipe off the leftover paste with rubbing alcohol, then squeeze a good amount of thermal paste, just enough to cover the connective parts.

When you’re done, simply screw everything back together. Don’t forget to clean your surroundings as well. If the laptop turns on normally, you’ve done your job well.

Software “cleaning” and restoring your computer

Often users may refer “cleaning” to software cleaning and restoration of their computer to factory settings, with or without keeping personal data.

This is often beneficial if you suspect that your computer has viruses or spyware. Or, sometimes you’ve just built up too many unused software and apps over the years and want to get rid of them.

In this case, a hard drive cleanup and software restoration will be your best option. This will also give your computer a small boost in performance and bring it to a “clean” state.

How often should I clean my laptop?

Laptop cleaning should be done from time to time as regular maintenance for the device. But how often should we be doing it?

For the surfaces of the laptop, it doesn’t matter that much. You can wipe it down every once in a while, and even more often as you’d like. But for the inside of the laptop, you’ll only need to clean it every 6 or 12 months. We don’t recommend opening up the laptop too much, unless you absolutely need it for repairs. Opening up the laptop exposes the laptop to the open air, and the higher the frequency that you open it up, the more accidents may happen to it.

Professional laptop cleaning and repairs at Safemode Computer Service

Prefer some much more experienced hands to deal with your dusty laptop? Or need an electric blower to clean out your desktop computer? We’re here to help. At Safemode Computer Service, we can help you clean out your laptop and reapply thermal paste on it as well. We can also help you if you need a new laptop fan, or solve your overheating problems.

Located in Inner West Sydney, our expert technicians are always happy to lend a hand and give advice on your computer problems. Come on down to our Enmore store or give us a call today!

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Disk formatting explained: When should I format my hard drive? https://safemode.com.au/disk-formatting-explained/ https://safemode.com.au/disk-formatting-explained/#disqus_thread Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:51:30 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18862 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

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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

Windows recovery settings

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?

Miniature figures demonstrating data recovery on a hard disk drive

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!

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What to do with an old MacBook laptop https://safemode.com.au/apple-laptop-recycling/ https://safemode.com.au/apple-laptop-recycling/#disqus_thread Thu, 17 Sep 2020 01:55:17 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18855 What to do with an old MacBook laptopConsider what you want to do with your old MacBookDoes 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

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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.

person using MacBook laptop to browse photos online

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 memory chips on motherboard

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!

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4 laptop keyboard failure warning signs to look out for https://safemode.com.au/laptop-keyboard-problem/ https://safemode.com.au/laptop-keyboard-problem/#disqus_thread Thu, 10 Sep 2020 06:51:05 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18850 4 laptop keyboard failure warning signs to look out forLaptop keyboard problem is common. Problem with your laptop keyboard varies from jammed keys, some keys not working to complete keyboard failure. In this post, I'll explain to you what causes laptop keyboards to fail, what problems your laptop keyboard may have, and repairs on laptop

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4 laptop keyboard failure warning signs to look out for

Laptop keyboard problem is common. Problem with your laptop keyboard varies from jammed keys, some keys not working to complete keyboard failure. In this post, I’ll explain to you what causes laptop keyboards to fail, what problems your laptop keyboard may have, and repairs on laptop keyboards.

Keyboard repairs, especially for modern laptops, is usually to difficult for DIY at-home repairs. At the end of this post, if you still need professional computer repairs, drop us a message. We can repair keyboard for laptops, including Apple Mac.

What causes laptop keyboard failure?

Trapped dust and debris

The gaps between your laptop’s keys are where all kinds of dust and debris can get in. Because of how small these gaps are, the dust can stay trapped in there and potentially harm the keyboard that needs repairs.

Things like pieces of lint, or crumbs from eating right above the keyboard can get right into the keyboard and jam it up.

To be fair, keeping your laptop spotless at all times is pretty impossible. It’s natural to get a little dust in there, and your laptop would still work perfectly normal. But when it reaches a point where there is a lot of dust trapped inside, it could become a problem for the keyboard. An accumulation of dust could also cause other hardware problems like overheating and fan failure.

Moisture in the air

It’s common knowledge that liquids and electronics don’t mix. You probably already know not to use your laptop around the pool or in the bath.

But what about rooms with high humidity? You might not be aware about this, but the moisture in the air can sometimes affect your laptop’s keyboard. Just like dust, moisture can get trapped inside a laptop and get you in quite a bit of trouble. So just to be on the safe side, you might want to use your laptop in a cool and dry spot.

Physical damage and liquid spills

spilled red wine liquid

Physical damage is another thing that can kill laptop keyboards. These usually occur as accidents. You wouldn’t try to break your keyboard on purpose, would you?

Liquid spills are a very common cause for keyboard failures. Accidentally spilling your drink over your laptop can short out the keys and ruin the keyboard.

If it’s only a water spill, you might be able to use it as normal once it’s dried out completely. In other cases like sugary liquids or wine, it’s a little bit more tricky.

After drying, the sugar in these liquids will still remain between the keys, and inside the laptop. Corrosive liquids like beer and seawater do the worst damage, corroding the connective parts of the keyboard.

Neglect – laptop unused for an extended amount of time

In our computer repair experience, we’ve learnt that neglect can also frequently result in the failure of a laptop keyboard. Some cases of keyboard failure all share this observation: the laptop was neglected and not used for more than two months.

In these situations, users may just be using a different computer, or just primarily using their work laptops more often than their personal ones. Then when they take up their other laptop, they find that some keys are not working.

Often a customer came to me saying “I haven’t used my laptop for 2 months, then I took it out and some keys are not working.”

When this happens to you, you may wonder why the keyboard just fails for no reason. You may feel like you’re the only person who’s come across this issue. It’s just so strange, isn’t it?

But, I hear this every few weeks. It’s become the norm.

If you drive, you’d know that when your car sits in the garage unused for a few months, the next time you drive it, it’ll have problems. The battery may have gone flat. The tire may have gone flat. The steering wheel makes a weird noise and feels heavy. You may not even start the car.

It is the same with your computer.

What if it’s actually…?

Keyboard issues are generally hardware faults. They come from physical damage. Like any kind of computer hardware, laptop keyboards don’t last forever and will begin to fail at some point in the laptop’s lifetime.

Some may think it’s a software or driver issue, or even a possible computer virus, but it’s quite unlikely that those are the case. It could be a connection that’s come loose, but that’s rare.

As a piece of computer hardware, the keyboard will start showing signs of malfunction when it gets damaged. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to update your laptop’s drivers.

Now that we understand the different causes of keyboard failures, we can move onto the kinds of warning signs that you should look out for. These are some obvious and noticeable signs of keyboard failure that you may come across on your laptop.

4 Laptop keyboard failure warning signs to look out for

woman using macbook laptop and taking notes

1. Keys not working

This is pretty straightforward. You’ll notice certain keys don’t respond no matter how much or how hard you press them. Nothing comes out. This could be just a few keys or even a whole row of keys. It’s completely random and unpredictable.

2. Keys repeat itself

This type of malfunction happens when you press a key once and the output appears to be repeated many times. Say your F key is repeating itself. You could press it once and out comes “fffff”. It could get annoying when you’re trying to type emails or work on documents.

3. Keys come out with a different output

Another instance of a keyboard not working properly, this issue happens when you press one key and a different thing comes out. You could press the F key and the number 9 comes out. And then you’ll have to work around this quirk, keeping in mind to press which key for which thing until you can’t take it anymore.

4. Keys are jammed, or stuck

A laptop keyboard is a part with connective points and mechanical parts. Over a period of use, the keys can get jammed, just by wear and tear, or from external factors like dust and liquid spills.

Sugary liquids can cause the keys to stick together, and pieces of debris can jam the keys. So when you can’t seem to press down the keys, or notice that keys are stuck to its base, you know you have a problem.

5. Apple laptops are no exception

No doubt, Apple laptops are well built with premium quality. But its build quality does not help protect against dust and water spill.

Personally, I believe that Apple’s higher quality build does help reduce the damage of water and dust on its internal parts. But this comes purely from the fact that I’ve seen a higher chance of repair success rate on Apple laptops only.

Repairs on Apple laptops are more difficult due to their design, but (counter-intuitively) at the same time easier due to Apple spare parts are widely available in the market.

How can I be sure? Here’s how you can test your keyboard

If you have a spare external keyboard, use it to test whether your keyboard is indeed faulty. Plug in it, and test the keys that you usually have problems with. You’ll be able to confirm that your laptop’s keyboard is indeed faulty when everything works fine with the external keyboard. Then you’ll need to fix this internal problem.

So far, that’s the only way to test whether you have a keyboard failure. Pre-boot diagnostics won’t be able to test the part, and you don’t really need to open up the laptop to check things out.

Opening up a laptop just to see what’s going on when you can already confirm the problem can be unproductive to the problem at hand. This can also harm the laptop as well. That’s a common mistake that users make when they try to fix their computer by themselves. We try to only open up a laptop when we’re actually fixing the hardware, and not as a testing method.

How to fix a dead laptop keyboard

The tricky thing with laptop keyboards is, there’s no fix for only one specific faulty key. Even if one key is dead, the whole keyboard will need to be replaced.

If you see retailers selling individual keycaps for faulty keys, those won’t fix your problem as they are only cosmetic. With that said though, if your problem is merely a lost keycap that’s popped off, then sure, you can get an individual key cap fit back in easy as.

Keyboard repairs are known to be quite complicated, as the keyboard is usually hard to get to. When you open up the laptop to take the keyboard out, most of the time you’ll need to get through the motherboard to reach the keyboard.

The motherboard is a delicate piece of circuitry that takes experienced hands to deal with. If you’re not that confident in your tech repair skills, you might want to get it checked out by a professional.

Laptop keyboard is no longer easy-to-replace for consumers

Back in the early days of computers (the era of Windows XP to Windows 7), laptop keyboards were much easier to be replaced. You simply pop it up from the keyboard frame to install a new one.

Unfortunately, newer models of laptops, especially ultrabooks are no longer repair-friendly for end-users.

Since laptops are getting slimmer and more portable, manufacturers no longer make them easy to replace keyboards.

It’s certainly an improvement in terms of improving the laptop’s appearance, but it comes at a cost. Replacing the keyboard means the laptop battery, hard drive, fan, motherboard, etc have to be removed first before you can even get to the keyboard.

Not only that, most keyboards are fixed into the frame. After removing the broken keyboard, you’ll have a great deal of trouble securing the new one properly. You need lots of experience to do this.

Apple MacBook keyboards are incredibly difficult to replace

Incredibly difficult! Yes it is absolutely difficult to replace keyboards for Apple MacBook laptops ever since the butterfly keyboard design came out.

It is a painful, time-consuming challenge when it comes to replacing keyboards for Apple Mac laptops. You literally have to rip out, break every key in the old keyboard to remove the keys one by one.

There are no more screws to install a new keyboard either. You have to use super glue to help secure the new keyboard. Every mistake is costly and you’ll have to repeat the whole process again.

If your laptop has a keyboard problem, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll need a professional computer repairer to do it for you.

Getting your laptop repaired by a professional

computer hardware repair tools and components hard drives and motherboard

With how complex the process is with most laptop keyboard repairs, you might be turning to a more “hands-off” approach and hand it off to a professional. That’s where we can help!

At Safemode Computer Service, we are always happy to help with any computer issue, from Macbook butterfly keyboard repairs to Windows PC hard drive failures. We are located in Enmore, conveniently in the Inner West of Sydney.

With our highly-rated services and our friendly technicians, trust us to diagnose and fix your computer issues expertly. Call us today or come down to our Enmore store today!

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10 tips and tricks for a better Apple macOS experience https://safemode.com.au/apple-mac-maintenance/ https://safemode.com.au/apple-mac-maintenance/#disqus_thread Thu, 03 Sep 2020 06:57:31 +0000 https://safemode.com.au/?p=18844 10 tips and tricks for a better Apple macOS experienceDid you know that your Mac has built-in tools for better productivity and performance? Apple Macs are popular for their smooth user experience and high quality hardware. In this guide, we’ll be looking at the various tips and tricks for every Mac user to take on.

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10 tips and tricks for a better Apple macOS experience

Did you know that your Mac has built-in tools for better productivity and performance? Apple Macs are popular for their smooth user experience and high quality hardware. In this guide, we’ll be looking at the various tips and tricks for every Mac user to take on.

1. How to clean up storage space

Perhaps you’re looking for more space to fit more files on your Mac, or you’ve got an alert that says “Startup disk full” or “You disk is almost full”. Either way, clearing your hard drive of unused files not only gives you more room to work with, it could also improve the performance of software and apps.

To do this, we’ll have to check out how much storage you have on your Mac’s hard disk. Go to About this Mac from the Apple menu, then click on “Storage”. There you’ll see a brief overview of how much storage you have, and what kind of files take up the most space. To look at how you can optimise your Mac’s storage, click “Manage”.

From the Recommendations tab, you should be able to find four options to manage and optimise your storage. These include, Store in iCloud, Optimize Storage, Empty Trash Automatically, and Reduce Clutter. All four of these methods could help with cleaning up some files and documents that hog up your hard disk.

Along with getting rid of files on your hard drive, you could also look into uninstalling apps that you don’t use anymore. Under the Applications window, go through the apps that you don’t need anymore and uninstall them. These apps take up space, and will rarely be of use anyway. Another thing is, because applications are installed on your OS, uninstalling them could make things easier for your Mac.

2. How to use Time Machine to back up your data

For personal data backups, most people are used to just dragging and dropping to their USB drives or external hard drives. Apple’s Time Machine is a more convenient and quick solution to creating regular backups to an external storage space. All you need is an external storage device, something like a USB or Thunderbolt drive should work. You could also use dedicated devices like AirPort Time Capsules.

To set up a Time Machine, connect the external storage and then you can choose whether you want to encrypt the backups. After you’ve selected a backup disk, Time Machine will begin to make regular backups automatically from time to time. You should be able to continue using your Mac as usual while these backups are underway. If you want to start a backup manually, you can click “Back Up Now” from the Time Machine menu. From this menu. You can also check on the status of a backup or skip an automatic backup.

3. How to check your Mac’s battery health

Unlike Windows devices, Apple Macs provide information on its battery health. This gives the user a better idea of when they should be replacing their MacBook laptop’s battery.

Laptop batteries are consumable parts that have an approximate lifespan of 2-4 years. Battery failures can also go awry pretty quickly, as the lithium-ion parts are quite volatile when malfunctioning. They can catch on fire, or explode. So with that said, it’s a good idea to catch these problems before they get dangerous.

To check your MacBook’s battery health, click on the battery icon on the menu bar. The status should read either: Normal, Service battery, Replace soon, or Replace now. You can also find a more detailed report from your MacBook’s System Report, under the Power tab. Information about the battery’s power capacity and charging cycles.

4. How to reinstall macOS

MacOS Utilities

Sometimes you Mac might need a little refresher, or you want to reset it back to factory settings before selling it. You can do this by reinstalling macOS. Be sure to back up your data before doing this though, as reinstalling macOS will wipe out everything on the Mac.

To reinstall macOS, restart your Mac and hold Command + R at startup. You’ll reach macOS Utilities. Select “reinstall macOS”, then choose a language. The process will begin and your Mac will download and install the right version of macOS for you.

5. How to screenshot individual elements

The traditional way of screenshotting screen images on an Apple Mac is by holding these three keys: command, shift, 3. What if you want to screenshot individual elements without having to go through image editing and cropping what you need?

There is a way to do this, so you can screenshot elements like the menu bar, dock, or any open windows. Hold down command + shift + 4, then press and release the spacebar. Then you can click on the thing that you want.

6. How to use Apple Diagnostics

Apple Diagnostics

Apple Diagnostics is a handy tool that can help you find possible faults with your hardware. It’s helpful to run this maybe every few months, even if your Mac seems to be running normally. This way you might be able to catch problems earlier, before it starts to create bigger problems for you. Apple Diagnostics can test hardware like the hard drive, RAM, or battery.

Simply restart your Mac and press the D key when it turns on. Apple Diagnostics should run immediately after. If it finds any issues, it will report them along with an error reference code and support solutions.

Help with Apple Mac repair solutions

If you require any help with your Mac, you’d generally make an appointment at the Apple genius bar. But there are certain situations where you might not be able to get help. Your warranty might be expired, or that the problem is out of their reach.

That would bring you to a repair shop like us. At Safemode Computer Service, we are dedicated to providing the best Mac repair service in Sydney. Our experienced repair technicians can help you with any Mac issue, from logic board repairs to iMac screen replacements. Call us today to make an appointment at our Enmore store.

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