Your Computer Needs Tender Loving Care | Corona, CA

computer repair service

The saying “cleanliness is next to godliness” hold true. And it isn’t just when it comes to your person. Just like anything else, your computer tower needs a good cleaning at least every three to six months to prevent dust build up and to keep it from overheating. Ridding your computer of dust and debris build up helps increase your computer’s performance and avoid future technical issues. Unsure of how to do it? Here is a quick rundown:

  • Gather up a soft brush, a can of compressed air, electronic safe wipes, a vacuum and a screwdriver to remove the computer panel.
  • Make sure to shut down your computer, unplug any cords and let it cool down before you start cleaning.
  • First, start by wiping down the outside of your computer tower with the electronic safe wipe, then carefully vacuuming out the tower’s vents.
  • Next, remove the computer panel and cautiously vacuuming the inside, careful not to touch any of the computer’s components.
  • Once loose dust and debris has been removed, take a soft brush and brush away the remaining dust. For extra dusty areas, use your compressed can of air to help loosen the debris.
  • Finally, replace the computer panel and plug back in your cables. Now it’s all cleaned up and ready to be used.

When it comes to electronic equipment, it is important to realize that in order to ensure your computer will last as long as possible, maintenance is required. There are many benefits that come from cleaning your computer regularly. Dust build up is one of the key factors that cause a computer to overheat, so make sure to keep up on your computer cleanings.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with managed IT services at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

5 Reasons Your Computer Could Be Running Slow | Computer Repair Corona

Most likely, you know how frustrating it can be to use sluggish desktops and laptops. You’re probably reading this article on one right now. But, did you know that your computer slowing down is likely because of how you’re using it? It can be the programs you’re running, the files you’re downloading that are slowly filling up your hard drive, or it could be a virus that you mistakenly installed on your computer.  

We’ve taken the time to collect five of the most common reasons why your computer could be running slow, and what you can do to speed it up a bit.  

  1. Too many programs open or running. Sure, you can theoretically do a million things at once, but to do so quite literally requires an extremely powerful computer. Unfortunately, not all of us have access to such a computer. Most of us only have a computer that can run so many programs at once before it starts slowing down, or in worse cases, crashes altogether. Fortunately, all you need to do to solve this very simple problem is shut down or quit any programs that you currently aren’t using and in the case of browsers, learn how to bookmark pages and links so you don’t have to keep them open all the time.  
  1. Your hard drive or memory could use an upgrade. Your computer will also slow down if your hard drive is nearly full, or if you’re constantly maxing out your computer’s memory performance. The solution to this is rather simple – it’s either you upgrade your hard drive and/or memory or delete files that aren’t being used and remove any unnecessary programs that may be running in the background.  
  1. Unnecessary software updates and “bloatware”. If you’re not careful, you might be installing programs and applications that have automatic updates activated, or come pre-packaged with other unnecessary software without you knowing. Both can take up valuable hard drive space and slow down your computer’s performance. Not to mention it can put your computer at significant risk. Always remember to double-check whatever you’re installing on your computer.  
  1. Too many applications running at start-up. Like how some applications can have automatic updates activated, some are programmed to run automatically during start-up unless the settings are changed. This can sometimes be useful, but more often than not, it’s a nuisance and can significantly affect performance, especially in older desktops and laptops. Making sure that only necessary applications are running on start-up can help speed up your computer’s performance.  
  1. A virus might be slowing your computer down. Plenty of viruses can infect your computer without you ever knowing, running silently in the background and collecting important information, including passwords, financial information and so on. As such, it’s important to install an anti-virus solution, even if only free and basic, to help minimize the chances of your computer being infected by a virus. It’s also a good idea to avoid downloading and installing anything from suspicious and unsecure links or websites.  

The more you know about maintaining your computer, the faster and more efficient your computer will be. And, with these tips, your desktop and/or laptop will be running faster than it ever has! 

 

 

5 Reasons Your Computer May Be Running Slowly

I’m sure you’ve experienced how frustrating it can be to use a slow computer. I know I have. Of course, the first thing I want to do when my computer is acting “sluggish” is to yank my hair out or toss my computer in the garbage. However, before you take any of those drastic actions I mentioned, you may want to try take a step back and see if it’s something simple that’s causing your computer to run slowly. I’ve compiled a list of possible reasons your computer may be running slowly, which include the following:

  • You have too many programs running at the same time. It’s very common for people to download apps, utilities and other programs that run in the background. If too many programs are running, your computer becomes “less focused” to other things you are having it do. Avoid downloading web browser help, more than one anti-malware program, or apps that claim to speed your computer up, as each one of them will slow your computer down.
  • You don’t have enough free RAM. One of the key factors to fast running computer is free space. Random access memory, commonly referred to as RAM, is what your computer uses for thinking space and temporary working. The more free space your computer has, the faster it will run. Make sure to clean up any old or unwanted files to help improve your computers speed.
  • Your computer has a virus/malware. Both internet slowness and slow computer operation can be signs that your computer may be infected. You can use an anti-virus and anti-spyware application to see if your computer is infected.
  • You haven’t shut your computer down in a while. It’s a good idea to shut your computer down once in a while. Computers cannot complete some of its updates until you restart it. You can also free up memory resources that are linked up with buggy programs by restating your computer.
  • You share a wireless network. For instance, if your internet speed is lagging but your computer is running fast, you may have a good amount of activity on your wireless network. Be sure to check if anyone else on your network is using a lot of bandwidth, such as playing an online game or streaming videos, as this can make your computer run slow. Be sure that your wireless network is secure by creating a password. If it’s not, anyone can use it.

Computers can be difficult to work on, especially if you don’t know what in the world you’re dealing with in the first place. If you have a slow computer that needs some working on, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for additional information.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

Three Common Computer Problems

headache over computer problems

We here at Up & Running Computer Solutions resolve several technical support calls and emails ranging from simple to advanced computer problems. Computer problems can be such a headache and can even leave you feeling like your about to toss your computer out. The following list are three common computer problems

  • Malicious Software

This sort of problem includes viruses, adware, spyware, worms, trojan horses and any other type of software that is designed to cause mischief with you or your computer.

You can get malware anytime you’re browsing the internet, downloading an email attachment, accessing a different computer through a network, or when you’re plugging in a flash drive that was previously plugged into an infected computer.

  • Slow Computer

Computers are essentially like a new home or car; if you don’t take proper care of them, you’re going to have problems. In order to keep your computer running smoothly, it’s very important to make good use of your computer resources.

Every computer has a limited amount of storage space, ram memory and processing speed. So the more programs, documents, music, videos, pictures and tool bars you have, the slower your computer will run. Computer can also become slower is the have been infected with a virus.

  • Hard Drive Failure

If you’ve been hearing your computer make loud noises it’s never made before, be scared because those noises could be coming from your hard drive. The hard drive is where everything is stored, and hearing a clicking noise when you access data is one of the first signs of hard drive failure.

Hard drives can stop working for a myriad of reasons, but they typically crash due to mechanical failure, a violet shake, electrical surge, or even viruses.

If you’re having any computer problems and looking for technical support, don’t wait till the last minute to ask for help. Be sure to contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 for professional assistance today.

Up & Running Computer Solutions serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

National Clean Out Your Computer Day

Is your computer running a bit slower than usual? Have you been putting off cleaning out your files stored on your desktop? Well, since its National Clean Out Your Computer Day today, you should take some time out from busy day and dedicate it to your computer. Imagine what you would do if your computer unexpectedly crashed, permanently deleting all you had stored in it. Before your computer has time to take an unexpected turn for the worse, do yourself a favor and start by cleaning it out today. The following list includes a list of the best practices to keep your computer up and running:

  • Clean Your PC- Cleaning your PC’s exterior will not only get rid of food particles, dust and hair that have settled in your key board, fan, mouse and the rest of its components; it will also allow your computers performance. So start by turning the power off. Clean your key board with compressed air and a safe cleaning solution. Wipe down your mouse. Then proceed to use the compressed air to clean your actual computer.
  • Clean Out Your PC-Cleaning your computers software is just as important as cleaning it’s hardware. Start by deleting junk, duplicate files and programs that you no longer use. Next reorganize your files, folders and desktop. Also make sure to check your PC for adware, viruses and other malicious software that’s slowing your system down.

If you aren’t sure how to clean your computer or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, make sure to pass your PC on over to a professional for additional help. Once your computer is cleaned inside out, enjoy its seamless, quick and quiet performance. Also, make sure to clean it more often to keep it up and running.

If you are having problems removing a virus or a malicious software, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 for help or visit our website at www.urcs.net for additional information regarding our services.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

What to Do About a Slow Computer | Computer Repair Corona, CA

Waiting what may seem like decades for your computer to complete a simple task can be quite the annoyance. A slow running PC can start occurring after years of having it, or in some cases it occurs after only having your PC for a few months. There are several things that can contribute to your computer slowing down. It could be caused by bugs in the operating system, failing hardware, or even static electricity from carpet. Before taking your computer in for repair or buying a new PC all together, try out these quick fixes to see it they can get your computer running a bit faster again.

  • Uninstall Unused Programs- When buying a new computer, it usually comes with programs pre-installed and over time your computer compiles more programs.  Most of them you’ll never use and some of them actually run in the back ground, ultimately slowing your computer down.
  • Delete Temporary Files- When you use the internet all of your browsing history remains deep in your computer, and the same goes for when you install something. Make sure to get rid of all the clutter to free up space on your system.
  • Get More Hard Drive Storage- It doesn’t matter how tidy you keep your computer, if you have too much on your hard drive, it will affect the speed of your computer. If you use your computer for things such as recording media or video it’s more likely that you’re hard drive will become full, thus slowing your computer down.
  • Stop Unnecessary Start-ups- Every time you start up your PC there are some programs that automatically start to run in the background. Skype are one of the programs known for this. Every application that is running will use your PCs memory and slow it down.
  • Clean it up- You won’t believe how much dust your computer can accumulate over time. The dust gets sucked in by the cooling fan and can clog the airflow of the computer causing it to overheat and slow down. Use a vacuum on a low setting to gently clean out the insides. Make sure your computer is disconnected from all mains.

If your computer is still running slowly after trying out these quick fixes, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for more information regarding our services

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

5 Reasons Your Computer May Be Running Slow | IT Services Corona, CA

One of the most common issues that arise with computers today is when they start to become slow and sluggish.  When your computer starts to slow down, and take for what seems like an eternity to open a document or application, you may sometimes starting getting impatient and feel like pulling your hair out. But please refrain from doing so and take a look at the following reasons why your computer may be slowing down to gain some understanding and insight:

  • Limited Space- One of the main keys to a fast functioning computer is free space. The more free space, the quicker your computer will be. Make sure to clean up any old or unwanted files to keep as much spaced freed up as possible.
  • Too Many Programs Running- Another reason for a slow computer may be because you have too many applications or other programs that run in the background. The more programs running, the more difficult it is for your computer to “focus” on the task you want to be completed.
  • Overheating- If your computer is covered in dust that may be the reason it’s running slower. Dust and dirt constricts the air flow through your computer, and without proper air flow your computer can overheat.
  • Fragmented Hard Drive- Another common reason for a slow computer is a fragmented hard drive disk. Once the disk is fragmented it takes about 10 times longer to read and write basic information.
  • Viruses- There are all sorts of viruses out there ready to “attack” and slow down your computer. Some viruses include ransomware, at type of virus that wants money to free your computer, and other viruses could just be running in the background. So if your computer is running slower than usual, you may have a virus.

Computers can be quite difficult to work on, especially if you don’t know how they work. If you have a slow computer that needs some working on, contact Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558 or visit our website at www.urcs.net for more information.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

Signs Your Hard Drive Is Failing | IT Services Corona, CA

Hard drive failure can be quite devastating for most people. Our hard drives are typically full of important files like personal information, photos, audio files and videos. Few people fail to realize just like any other electronic devices, hard drives have a limited life span as well. The average lifespan of a stationary hard drive is about 5-10 years. Fortunately, your hard drive will start to show signs of failure before facing a fatal failure, which will give you a chance to react. There are plenty of signs and symptoms you can keep an eye and ear out for, those include the following:

  • Computer Freezes- If your computer hard drive is about to fail you will find your computer slowing drastically and freezing constantly. If your computer is freezing while trying to access particular files, you should shut down and restart your computer. If your computer still freezing while trying to access that same files, you may be experiencing hard drive failure.
  • Corrupted Data- If your files are starting to disappear or are failing to open even though they were saved with no error, you should worry a bit. This could be a possible sign of gradual hard drive failure.
  • Strange Sounds- When you start hearing noises coming from your hard drive such as clicking or grinding, that’s when you should really start worrying. This very common sign of a failing hard drive is known as the click of death.
  • Chkdsk Command- This is another common sign of a failing hard drive. If every time you start up your computer,  it automatically runs the Chkdsk command while its booting up this may indicate hard drive failure.

If your computer is having any of these issues or any other issues you know are a problem, call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA at 951-737-8558. For more information about our company and our services visit our website at www.urcs.net

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Chino, Onatrio, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Slow Computer? | IT Computer Services | Serving Anaheim, CA

Have you noticed your computer running a little slow lately? Does it take a while to boot up or open documents or applications? A slow computer could be caused by several different problems. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons.

  • Limited space on hard drive: You should have at least 200-500MB of hard drive space left.  If you have below that amount you will need to delete temporary files and used files or programs to free up some hard drive space.
  • Corrupted Hard Drive: Run a ScanDisk to ensure there is nothing physically wrong with the hard drive.
  • Viruses: Use a virus scanner to scan your computer for spyware or malware.
  • Programs that open in the background: Disable all programs that automatically start when you boot your computer.
  • Windows Updates: Make sure you have installed all the latest Windows updates and all browser plugins.
  • Overheating: Dust and dirt restricts air flow through the computer. Without proper air flow your computer can overheat. Make sure there are no obstructions around your computer and that all fans are working properly.
  • Limited Memory: If you have an older computer the memory might not meet the standard requirements needed today. Adding more memory will fix this problem.

Working on your computer can be difficult. Especially if you are not familiar with how computers work. That’s why we are here to help! The IT Services of Up & Running Computer Solutions, Inc. can repair your computer or server. Call today at 951-737-8558 or www.urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Anaheim, Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and all surrounding areas.

 

Help! My Computer is so Slow! | Computer Repair | Corona, CA

Is your computer running slow? Can you go to lunch and be back before its done booting up? This could be caused by several different reasons. Things such as not enough hard drive space to missing windows updates. It could be as simple as your computer needing to be rebooted. Let’s take a look as some of the potential problems and possible solutions.

  • Not enough space on the hard drive: You should have at least 200-500MB of hard drive space left.  If you have below that amount you will need to delete temporary files and used files or programs to free up some hard drive space.
  • Corrupted Hard Drive: Run a ScanDisk to ensure there is nothing physically wrong with the hard drive.
  • Scan for viruses: Use a virus scanner such as Malwarebytes to scan your computer for spyware or malware.
  • Background programs: Disable all programs that automatically start when you boot your computer.
  • Windows Updates: Make sure you have installed all the latest Windows updates and all browser plugins.
  • Overheating: Dust and dirt restricts air flow through the computer. Without proper air flow your computer can overheat. Make sure there are no obstructions around your computer and that all fans are working properly.
  • Not Enough Memory: If you have an older computer the memory might not meet the standard requirements needed today. Adding more memory will fix this problem.

If you have addressed all the above possibilities and your computer is still running slow, your computer may be out of date and you may simply need a new computer.

If you’re not sure how to complete these tasks we can help! Call Up & Running Computer Solutions Inc. in Corona, CA for your entire computer needs at 951-737-8558. We service all large and small business, PC’s, server installs and much more! Visit our website www.urcs.net.