Monday, July 29, 2013

The very first thing you should do once you purchaced a new computer

When you get a new computer and turn it on for the first time, you're ready to either get to work, play around with it or start having fun.

However, problems will arise later on and you may need your recovery discs. You don't have them so you go to your manufacturer to order them which cost too much money.

Although you can press either F10/F11 at Start up, it's also best that you create your own recovery media. This recovery media will have everything you need from the start-up repair to the drivers you need.

Some computers have their own recovery media creation software, while windows 7 and 8 have one too.

If you just purchased a new computer, or have a computer that isn't having any system problems, you may want to go ahead and create your recovery discs.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

How to recover files from a computer that won't boot into windows

Something happened (your computer isn't booting into windows or won't turn on at all) so you took your computer to a shop, and a technician tells you that chances are all of your personal files will be erased.

Then you realize, it's either been a while or you never did a backup of your personal files. Then there's the overwhelming fear/emotion of losing your documents, videos, music and photos.

Here's how to back up a computer in this current state. You will need to take out the hard drive and hook it up to a working machine, copy your personal files on there using this, an IDE/SATA to USB adapter. The IDE/SATA to USB adapter is not limited to just the hard drive, you can use it to test other drives such as an optical (CD/DVD) drive or use them externally.


or use one of these, a Hard Drive (HDD) Docking Station

These devices support both IDE and SATA interfaces. If you are unsure how to uninstall the hard drive from your computer, check your computer's service manual for specific instructions.

Another tool you can use is a Hard Drive Enclosure Case. You will have to already know your hard drive interface size. Remember the size of laptop hard drives are smaller.

These are perfect for creating your own external hard drive, or treating one of your old hard drives as a backup device.

Either way, any of these devices will save your life and your personal files.

Note: You will have to take your hard drive to a professional data recovery business if your hard drive is damaged or broken.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Finding Decently Priced Replacement Laptop Screens

Uh Ohh... I know the feeling all too well when a laptop screen is cracked, and the replacement prices are horrifying, depending on where you buy them.

When I contacted my manufacturer to price my replacement screen, I was shocked at how much I would be paying through them, which was well above $400 for a replacement screen at the time.

Whether you are taking it to a shop or replacing it yourself, you will actually save a lot of money purchasing them from amazon.com or ebay.com.

Another way to save money is to purchase a broken machine and salvage it for parts (assuming that the screen is good). Warning: Never buy a broken laptop that shows signs that it was dropped and suffered significant damage from that drop.

Below are some selections from amazon.com (you can edit the search results by editing the text in the search bar)