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.

Don’t Panic: Computer Issues Edition | Corona, CA

computer repair service

We can’t function these days without a computer. From shopping to social media, it seems everything we do has an online option. So, when our computers break down, there is always reason to panic. After all, how are we going to keep up with our timelines when our laptop is glitching? Don’t panic – there are things that can be done to fix your machine. But it is a good idea to know what is going on when a computer breaks, so we don’t fret and do something rash. So, here is a listing of the five more common issues your computer may face:

Computer won’t turn on. Nothing is more frightening than a computer that doesn’t turn on, and unfortunately it could be caused by number of things ranging from a loose cord, or a power supply going bad.

Slow computer. When you delete files and applications from your computer, they’re still on your computer taking up space. Low hard drive space or not enough RAM are also reasons your computer has slowed.

Odd noises. A dying fan or a failing hard drive can be a reason your computer may be making noise. A fan is an easy fix; you can back up your information from your hard drive before it fails, or with the use of a recovery software.

Overheating. Overheating can cause all sorts of computers problems caused by poor ventilation, dying fans or even excessive use of the computer.

Freezes. The “blue screen of death” is when your PC freezes in a blue screen with an error message caused by overheating, hard drive failure or a buggy software.

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 Prescott Valley and all surrounding areas.

Don’t Let It Be the Death of You | Prescott, AZ

It is something that anyone who works on a computer dreads the most. You’re busy working along when all of a sudden, your screen freezes. And you were in the proverbial zone that saving your work hadn’t happened for quite a while. Oh no! Did you lose all your work? More importantly, will it come back? There is literally nothing like the panic that washes over you when a computer screen freezes and all you see is a blue screen. Did you know that your ultimate computer dread has a name? It does. That blue screen with a list of computer instructions and information is called the Blue Screen of Death. This occurs when Windows crashes or locks. Apropos, isn’t it?

Despite what you think at the time, the reason for this Windows screen is to tell you the reason for the error and to calm you down. Seriously! The color blue has shown to have a calming effect on people, so the blue screen is used to prevent you from freaking out.

As you read the information shown, the error you experienced will be in all capital letters at the top. It will help you or a computer repair technician find the information you need to fix the problem. Also, Windows will take anything it’s holding in system memory and put it in a file and saves it on your hard drive. Calming your nerves yet?

The error and memory file will be researched to find the cause of the system stop and to help repair it. If you experience a Blue Screen of Death and aren’t sure how to fix it yourself, call a computer technician for help.

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 Prescott Valley and all surrounding areas.

When Your Hard Drive Goes Rogue | Corona, CA

In a world when clouds are getting hacked left and right, many have relied on backing up their information with a hard drive. And thus, hard drive failure can be quite devastating for most people, because our hard drives are typically full of important files like personal information, photos, audio files and videos. Few people fail to realize that 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 and will start to show signs of failure before facing a meltdown. Here are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for before it’s too late:

Computer freezes. If your computer is freezing while trying to access particular files, you should shut down and restart your computer. If it continues to freeze while trying to access that same files, it may be 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, start worrying. This common sign of a failing hard drive is known as the “click of death”.

CHKDSK command. If every time you start up your computer, it automatically runs the CHKDSK command while its booting up, this may indicate hard drive failure.

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.

Having Computer Problems? You Aren’t Alone | Corona, CA

headache over computer problems

In this day and age, having some type of computer is necessary. Whether it be a desktop, a laptop or a tablet, we all have some way to connect to the information superhighway. Otherwise, kit feels like we are out of touch. Unfortunately, like everything else, that computer will eventually have problems. These problems could be big and complicated or small and simple to fix. It’s especially a problem if you don’t know as much about computers as you would like. The good thing is, if you have little computer knowledge or don’t have the time to learn, a computer repair company can help get you back on your proverbial feet. But while you wait to get your computer looked at, here are five common computer problems and what is going on internally:

Malicious software. Otherwise known as viruses, spyware, adware, etc. Either way you look at it, all versions can harm your computer and attain access to your private information.

Computer won’t turn on. One of the more basic of issues, power issues could be due to a loose cord or a power supply that has gone bad.

Slow computer. All deleted files and applications are still on your computer taking up space and need to be cleaned up. Low hard drive space and not enough RAM can also cause your computer to be slow.

Blue screen of death. This happens when your computer freezes, resulting in a blue screen with an error message. This could be many things – overheating, hard drive failing, or buggy software.

Noisy computer. A fan, or your entire hard drive could be going out. Back up your files immediately so you don’t lose anything in the process.

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.