When to Call in a Computer Expert | Prescott, AZ

Whether you use your computer for work or just pleasure, when something goes awry, it tends to cause a bit of panic, especially when you aren’t a computer expert. When is the time to ask for help? For many of us, we are always unsure. It is important to know that it’s okay not to know what is happening when your computer is on the fritz. So, if you find that your computer is acting funny, keep these tips in mind:

Little problems nearly always become big problems. There are several key things that a casual computer user does on a daily basis that can result in a massive problem down the road.

  • Overuse of cleaning programs and efficiency scanners
  • Refusal to acknowledge error messages
  • Failure to clean out old programs and files
  • Not getting routine maintenance

When you don’t correct these problems immediately, they get worse. Proper care of a computer and routine check-ins with an expert are both important to proper health and your wallet.

Be able to relay what’s going on. Proper communication can mean you get your device back faster than if they have to guess what is wrong. Sometimes the simplest act of giving them a call, and describing what is wrong, can ease your mind about what is happening.

Everything expires. Even with steady replacement of bad parts, good care, and proper use of a computer, it will eventually die. Learning how to judge when enough replacing is enough is an art as much as it is a science.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Prescott, AZ for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

At-Home Computer Maintenance | Prescott, AZ

Computer maintenance may seem like something that is best left to the experts. While you should seek advice and have your computer components cleaned by an expert, basic maintenance can be easier than you think. It’s also important; caring for your computer before things get out of hand goes a long way to the life of your computer.

One of the most important elements of care for our computers may seem like the most simple. It’s important not to eat or drink around your computer and to utilize a padded case whenever it is not being utilized. Over time, seemingly small things like crumbs or a bit of water along the edge of the computer on the desk amount to gunk between the keys. Keeping the components clean will help keep your computer running efficiently for as long as it may go.

External drives are a great investment for computer care. Our computers have limited storage and memory capacity, so when there is an abundance of files it starts to break things down. Transitioning older files or completed projects to an external drive will help keep the amount of files you computer has to track to a minimum. This allows it to become more efficient with other processes and ultimately keeps the hard drive from becoming overworked.

Another great way to continually maintain your computer is to allow for software updates. Updates patch holes in the system or bugs that outdated technology may leave behind. Rather than an inefficient necessity, updates should be viewed as part and parcel to the longevity of your system. Updates also allow your system to handle files sent from others whose computers could be on the latest version so you aren’t left out.

Properly shutting down you computer, putting it to sleep and keeping the brightness at an appropriate level for the lighting conditions also makes a difference. It helps maintain battery life and tells your computer when it can recover; rather than leaving it on all the time which ruins efficiency over time. We recommend charging your computer when it is off, rather than in use to help maintain the battery life.

Want to learn more about computer maintenance? Visit us online at urns.net or call us at 951.737.8558 today!

Easy Computer Maintenance | Prescott, AZ

Computer maintenance may seem like something that is best left to the experts. While you should seek advice and have your computer components cleaned by an expert, basic maintenance can be easier than you think. It’s also important; caring for your computer before things get out of hand goes a long way to the life of your computer.

One of the most important elements of care for our computers may seem like the most simple. It’s important not to eat or drink around your computer and to utilize a padded case whenever it is not being utilized. Over time, seemingly small things like crumbs or a bit of water along the edge of the computer on the desk amount to gunk between the keys. Keeping the components clean will help keep your computer running efficiently for as long as it may go.

External drives are a great investment for computer care. Our computers have limited storage and memory capacity, so when there is an abundance of files it starts to break things down. Transitioning older files or completed projects to an external drive will help keep the amount of files you computer has to track to a minimum. This allows it to become more efficient with other processes and ultimately keeps the hard drive from becoming overworked.

Another great way to continually maintain your computer is to allow for software updates. Updates patch holes in the system or bugs that outdated technology may leave behind. Rather than an inefficient necessity, updates should be viewed as part and parcel to the longevity of your system. Updates also allow your system to handle files sent from others whose computers could be on the latest version so you aren’t left out.

Properly shutting down you computer, putting it to sleep and keeping the brightness at an appropriate level for the lighting conditions also makes a difference. It helps maintain battery life and tells your computer when it can recover; rather than leaving it on all the time which ruins efficiency over time. We recommend charging your computer when it is off, rather than in use to help maintain the battery life.

Want to learn more about computer maintenance? Visit us online at urns.net or call us at 951.737.8558 today!

How To Tell If Your Hard Drive is Going Bad | Prescott, AZ

The health of the hard drive in your computer is important to the vitality of the whole system. A failure can happen without warning or proper preparation, potentially resulting in the total loss of information.

The three main causes of a hard drive crash are because of a virus, mechanical failure, or electrical surge. None of these events are necessarily predictable, and without proper preparation, can be a disaster for your business.

Symptoms of deterioration for your hard drive are the following

            Strange noises. If it sounds like your computer is struggling to operate, that is a warning sign that the drive could be on the brink of burning out.

            Slow Operating Speed. If your computer is not operating as efficiently as it once was, it may be because the hard drive is overwhelmed with files and needs to be cleaned out to avoid a crash.

            Pop-Ups. Typically, unexpected or the new presence of pop-ups on your screen could mean that your hard drive has been compromised by a virus. Viruses are sent to your computer by a third party and could cause your system to crash.

While it is always good to be mindful of these warning signs, your hard drive is the life blood of your computer, and it needs to be maintained. If its been a while since you have replaced your hard drive, or taken steps to avoid total loss in case of a crash, call the team at Up and Running Computer Solutions today. We will evaluate the problem, run diagnostics and fix the gaps in your operating system, ensuring your data and operating system are secure.

To learn more about our services, and how we can help your system function efficiently, visit us online at www.urcs.net or give us a call at 951.737.8558 today.

Keep It Clean, Folks | Corona, CA

To say that we need some form of computer to survive these days is almost an absolute truth. Between smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs, it seems we all have at least one of these products. And not having them easily accessible and running correctly is imperative. Now that we are all on high alert about germs and infections, how often are you cleaning your electronic equipment?

One of the telltale signs that will tell you that it’s time to give your computer some TLC is that it begins to run a lot slower. If it begins to run a lot slower, chances are high that anything can cause a crash. Could you imagine losing everything on your computer because you neglected some simple cleaning tips? Here are some simple tips to keeping your computer equipment clean and running smoothly:

Outer beauty. Let’s face it – we are kind of gross when it comes to our computer stuff. We eat around them and rarely dust our keyboard, mouse, etc. Cleaning your PC’s exterior will improve your computer’s performance. Here’s how: Start by turning the power off. Clean your keyboard using compressed air and a safe cleaning solution. Wipe down your mouse. Then proceed to use the compressed air to clean your actual computer.

And now for the inside… Now that we’ve a spic-and-span exterior, it’s time to clean out the junk we’ve compiled. Here’s how: Start by deleting junk, duplicate files and programs that you no longer use, then reorganize your files, folders and desktop. Lastly, check your PC for adware, viruses and other malicious software that’s slowing your system down.

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

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Super SloMo: How to Fix It | Corona, CA

In a day and age where waiting is an annoyance we are unwilling to deal with, having computer issues are a headache we have zero time for. Not only do we live on the internet, but even basic life functions have somehow integrated a computer into it. So, when we have a slow-running machine, it almost feels like a reason to panic.

There are several things that can contribute to your computer slowing down. Bugs in the operating system, failing hardware, or even static electricity from carpet can lead to computer glitches. But 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, programs that have been pre-installed. Uninstall any programs you don’t use.

Delete temporary files. All 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 storage. If you have too much on your hard drive, it will affect the speed of your computer, especially if you use your computer for things such as recording media or video.

Stop unnecessary reboots. Every time you start up your PC, some programs automatically run in the background. Every application that is running will use your PCs memory and slow it down.

Clean it up. Dust gets sucked in by the cooling fan and can clog the airflow of the computer causing it to overheat and slow down.

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

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Scrub-a-DubDub: Time to Clean Your Laptop | Corona, CA

computer consulting

We use our laptops constantly because they move along with us through our daily life and the convenience factor is tremendous. But have you noticed that your laptop has begun to feel dirty? Perhaps some keys stick a bit more than before. If this is the case, it may be time to give your laptop a bit of a spring cleaning in summer. Every computer needs to be cleaned, but because laptops are so convenient, laptops require a cleaning more frequently. And since we talked about cleaning our computer towers last month, let’s get to cleaning our laptops with these simple steps:

Before you start, make sure to power down your laptop and unplug it from the wall. If your laptop has a battery, make sure to remove that as well. The first area you should start cleaning is the lid and bottom of the laptop. Mix a couple drops of dishwasher detergent with warm water and wipe the surfaces down with a lint-free cloth. Rinse your cloth with clean water and wipe down again before taking a dry cloth to dry.

Next comes the keyboard. NOTE: Be sure not to let any liquid (of any kind) drip down into the keyboard. Take your compressed can of air to remove any dust or crumbs in the crevices of the keyboard. Next, use the isopropyl rubbing alcohol to wipe down your keyboard and remove any residue.

Lastly, the vents. If your laptop has large side vents, you’ll most likely find some dust bunnies there. Use your compressed can of air to blow the dust out of the vents. By getting rid of excess dust and debris it will not only make your laptop look much better, but it will run better too.

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

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.

Computer Maintenance: Keepin’ It Clean | Corona, CA

As we all know, in order to keep our machines running in top condition, they need to be maintained. But do you actually follow those guidelines when it comes to your computer equipment? Believe it or not, you should be cleaning your computer at least every three to six months to prevent dust build-up. 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. Not sure where to begin? Here are some guidelines to giving your computer some necessary TLC:

  • Here are the tools you will need: a soft brush, a can of compressed air, electronic safe wipes, a vacuum and a screwdriver if you need to remove the computer tower’s panel.
  • Make sure to shut down your computer, unplug any cords and let it cool down before you start cleaning.
  • 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 panel from the computer tower and start by cautiously vacuuming the inside, be very careful not to touch any of the computer’s components.
  • Once vacuumed, take a soft brush and brush away the remaining dust. For extra dusty areas, use compressed air to help loosen the debris.
  • Finally, replace the computer panel and plug back in your cables.

That wasn’t so bad, was it? By taking the time to maintain your computer tower, you are ensuring that your equipment will be running at peak performance, so there are many benefits that come from cleaning your computer regularly.

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

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serve Corona and all surrounding areas.