About Do-It-Yourself Computer Repair

PC problems are bound to occur at some point for every computer owner. However, not every issue requires a trip to the repair shop. Some simple trouble shooting, along with a few basic tools, may be all that is needed for do-it-yourself computer repair. With a little confidence, most computer issues can be resolved by the owner at home.

• Most of the time, computer issues can be attributed to a software problem, rather than a hardware issue.


• Before performing any computer repairs, make sure to back-up its data.


• Anytime a computer is opened for work, make sure that it is unplugged. Be aware that the power supply may still hold a charge. Make sure that you are grounded and free from static-prone areas before working on a computer.


• Viruses are normally the number one culprit for degraded system performance.  If the computer is experiencing reduced performance, lagging speed, pop-ups and error messages, than a virus may be to blame. Luckily, many free programs exist that will identify, locate and eradicate most viruses. An updated anti-virus program such as Avira of AVG can be installed and updated with the latest virus definitions. A full scan will quickly reveal the hidden viruses.


• Other issues may be caused because of registry errors.  Registry cleaning programs such as System Mechanic are inexpensive and can resolve many PC issues.


• Often, another problem is a fragmented hard drive. Data stored in different locations will make it take longer to access it when needed, slowing down computer response time. Windows offers a utility to defragment the disk. It can be accessed by right-clicking on the hard drive location in the “Computer” section of the Windows start button, then selecting “Properties.”  Press the button that says “Disk Cleanup” and follow the instructions.


• The Internet offers a wealth of information, with many site and forums that provide home computer repair information. Books are also available on the topic.


• Hardware issues may require a bit more skill. The easiest parts to replace are the hard drive, video card, power supply and RAM. Anyone with a basic mechanical aptitude and a small computer repair kit can replace these parts.