The Most Common Computer Problems

Does your computer keep freezing, turning off or making funny noises? There are solutions to some of these problems that most people don’t know about.

Without ongoing maintenance, computers are built to last approximately 2 years before they are classified as being out of date. But how many people do you know that invest in a new computer every other year? Not many, especially if it is a personal computer for the home or a small office.

Most people that experience problems with their computer will insist that they are not responsible for them. Contrary to this, 80% of all computer problems are user induced. Most problems stem from users who fail to perform simple upkeep task such as cleaning the system registry, emptying the cache files and installing regular software updates.

Considering that most problems are a result of what their users did or didn’t do, there are some simple troubleshooting tips you can try next time you experience one of the more common problems listed below.

1.     Decreased performance and speed – this is the number one complaint from most computer users. Generally speaking, a computer’s ability to perform tasks quickly degenerates each year it is not maintained. Just like a car needs a service, your computer needs cleaning. The culprit of this problem is usually fragmented data, a damaged registry, excessive spyware and loads of too many programs operating in the background. Looking into these areas and making a few changes can increase your system’s speed and effectiveness by up to 30%.

2.     Frozen screens – while this is a common problem, it is slightly more serious and requires a few diagnostic measures. Most instances are caused by spyware so make sure you update your spyware daily. If this doesn’t improve freezing problems you may need to look into your hardware drivers.

3.     Shuts down or reboots all of a sudden – this is usually attributed to new hardware that puts added pressure on the power supply. When the computer is over-worked it becomes hot and needs to cool itself. To do this, the computer will shut itself down. To alleviate this situation, clean the a/c fan and make sure it’s running efficiently.

4.     Strange noises and vibrations – this is almost always a components issue. Each computer has thousands of parts and it is not unheard of for one to become unhinged. You can try and locate the problem and tighten the wires or nearest screws or you can leave it up to a professional.

If you are not an IT specialist, the culprits of these problems can be difficult to identify before they become serious problems. If you have a computer with important files and information on it, it is extremely important to consider a back-up system. IT companies can provide an offsite back-up service that includes disaster recovery storage just in case your computer suffers an unexpected breakdown.