Buy a Mac... Problem Solved! Really...

Your PC won't boot up and you can't figure out why! You are feeling
sick to your stomach with this troubling scenario (as it becomes so
nightmarish) when you realize you have not backed up your data (and
now Windows won't even wake up). Shutdown issues can be just
as frustrating. It appears Windows is shutting down properly and
then it hits a snag and freezes; there are few things worse (or
common) in the computing world than a comatose Windows system.

Issue: Windows Freezes at Startup

First you'll need to determine if it's a Windows issue or a hardware
issue. Again, ask yourself if you've recently added any new
hardware or software. Disconnect any newly added hardware and
try booting up your PC again. Also, you may want to try booting into
safe mode; if you can get into safe mode, then at least you've the
option of backing up your data. If your PC freezes before the
Windows splash screen appears, open up your computer's case
and check to make sure that all your cables are fastened securely,
especially the cables connecting your hard drive to your PC's
motherboard and power supply.

Issue: PC Reboots When It Should Shutdown

This annoying error usually occurs when there is a serious system
failure during the shutdown process. Windows attempts to handle
this by simply rebooting the system, but the user is left with the
impression that Windows is confused, that it forgot the difference
between shutting down and rebooting. What does one do when
faced with a baffling situation such as this?

Simply rebooting when faced with a system failure when shutting
down isn't really helpful, as the user is completely left in the dark as
to the cause of the error. The first troubleshooting step is to
deactivate the reboot/system failure action.
This is easy to do.

From the Start menu select Run and type in "sysdm.cpl" minus the
quotes in the Run dialog box. On the ensuing dialog box, select the
Advanced tab and the settings button located under Startup and
Recovery; next, un-check Automatically restart. Now, this will
prevent the reboots from occurring at shutdown, but ultimately it
won't rectify the system failure problem you're experiencing. At the
very least, Windows may display a helpful error message so that
you can get at the root of the problem and get your PC back to
normal.

Did you recently install new hardware or software drivers to control
said hardware? Buggy software drivers and newly installed
hardware are notorious for crippling a system at boot/shutdown
time. Go step by step, removing any new hardware or software
that you think may be causing the problem. Once you narrow down
the culprit, check (on Google) to see if other users are having the
same issues.

Eliminating Windows Startup Password Requirement

If you're the only one using your PC, then typing in a password at
startup can get a little annoying. Windows has the login/pass word
option to protect users' files when multiple users use the same
PC. Your personal files should be for your eyes only, but this
becomes unnecessary no one else uses your computer.

It's easy to turn off the password feature. Pull up the Run dialog
box, type in "control userpasswords2" minus the quotes and hit
enter. In the dialog box that appears, un-check "Users must enter
a user name and password to use this computer". After hitting
OK or Apply, Windows will ask you which user you'd like to be
automatically logged in; you only need to enter your login and
password only once. After this, Windows will no longer ask for a
password when you log in.

Vendor Support

Emergency Full Service Support

Most people do not have access to military grade laptops built for a rugged
lifestyle. When one of my clients recently found himself in a hotel room far from
home with a notebook that refused to power on, he knew this would happen
sooner or later.

The laptops very nature means they'll usually need to endure long road trips, an
occasional spillage from all sorts of liquids, and a drop at least once or twice
in their lifetime. Because today's laptops are getting smaller and thinner, many
users believe that when something goes wrong, their only course is to take it in
to me (and my great service and prices) or another professional for an overpriced
fix. Sometimes this is the case; but sometimes one can save money with a little
initiative and elbow grease. Read on to learn how to fix the most common laptop
issues at home.

Drying Out a Wet Laptop

I cringe when I watch people with liquid (a formidable foe for any computer) next
to their laptop as they work. Count the number of times you have a glass of water
or a can of soda by your laptop's side and you'll understand why spilling liquids
on laptops is such a common occurrence. First off, be warned that sugary liquids
usually spells doom for computers. The sugar eats away at hardware
components. But if you've simply spilled water over your hardware, there may be
a silver lining, as it's possible to dry out a waterlogged laptop.

The first thing you need to do is take out all your laptop's removable components
--hard drive, battery, optical drive, etc. Tilt your laptop on its side to drain out as
much of the water as you can. Your lappy's air vents will also act as drainage
points. Next, blow a can of compressed air on our laptop's internals to get it as
dry as possible. Allow your machine to sit next to a heater or fan for overnight to
further dry it out. Finally, when you're sure it's as dry as it's going to get, cross your
fingers, and power it up. If your laptop remains moribund, it might be time to
purchase a new laptop.

Keyboard Repair/Replacement

A common annoyance is a defunct laptop key. Try typing an e-mail without the use
if your "E" or "A" key; it's far from fun. If you're lucky, you can get replacement
keys for your laptop (MacBooks, for instance, the Cadillac of laptops) but they
usually cost $9 USD per key. A full keyboard only costs a little more, so you're
better off just replacing the whole thing.

Depending on your laptop, the procedures vary for removing the stock keyboard.
Some laptops have a locking bar that needs to be lifted before you can take out
the keyboard. Others require that you take out several screws before the 
keyboard can be unseated. Consult your laptop's manual. Once the keyboard has
been loosened, detach the ribbon cable used to connect it to the laptop's
internals. Plug the ribbon cable to the new keyboard and lock it in place. Be sure
that you test out all the keys before you celebrate. Easy as cake.

Cracked Laptop Case

Unless you have a military-grade laptop or are extremely careful, a couple high
altitude drops on a laptop's corner will probably put a pretty good crack in the
case. If the drop is severe enough, a chunk can even be taken out of your shiny
laptop. Ouch!

Repairing cracks in your notebook's case requires epoxy putty to use as a filler.
You can get epoxy putty at any hardware store and it usually sells for about $6
USD a tube. A caveat: avoid the quick-setting type of putty, as it may harden
before you're done with your fix. Make sure that the crack portion is free of any
debris. The putty comes in two components wrapped around each other like a
double helix. Cut a small piece off and mash the two components together. The
mixture of the two components induces a chemical reaction that'll harden the
epoxy. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear protective gloves before
entwining the two epoxy pieces. When the epoxy turns gray it's time to apply to
your laptop's case.

Apply the putty to the cracked part and work it in. Use something flat (an
expired card, a ruler, etc.) to level the putty so it's not obvious. Wait an hour
or two for the putty to dry. Next, you can use sandpaper to smooth out the dried
putty out and apply model paint so the repaired section is not so glaring.

Polishing a Scratched Screen

Scratches running across your laptop's screen can be distracting, especially in
bright light where the scratches are even more noticeable. Did you know that
minor scratches can be polished out with common toothpaste? That's right!
Toothpaste!

First off, be sure that you're using actual toothpaste and not the gel. The gel
toothpaste stripe doesn't contain the necessary abrasives that are needed to
smooth out the screen scratches.

Gently rub the toothpaste in small circles over the scratches. Remember, be
gentle; you don't want to wear away your laptop's protective screen coating. After
you've gotten most of the scratches out (this fix isn't 100% corrective) use a
non-ammonia-based window clearer found at most grocery stores to finish it off.

Damaged Charger Cords

Laptop charger cords certainly take a lot of abuse. They get curled up, packed
away, pulled this way and that; is it any wonder why they get frayed out and out
of whack? Luckily, a charger cord that's coming undone is super easy to fix. For
this fix, you'll need silicone sealant and painter's tape. If you have sensitive
skin, protective gloves will protective you from any discomfort.

A quick fix is to roll electrical tape around the damaged portion of the cord,
but a more permanent solution is to use silicone sealant, which can be purchased
from any hardware store. First off, lay down a piece of painter's tape (sticky
side down) to protect your working surface. Place the cord on it and squeeze out
the sealant over the damaged part. The cool thing about the painter's tape is
that the sealant won't stick to it and it peels off easily once you're finished.
Allow the silicone sealant to dry for about two hours before using.

Malfunctioning Fan

Computer's that use fans to cool them off are essential. Without a way to cool
your laptop's important components--CPU, hard drives, video card, et al.--things
will burn up and you and your laptop will be none too happy. A malfunctioning
fan can also be very noisy. A DIY fan repair is not hard at all. Before you got
out and get a new fan, see if you can fix it first.

A can of compressed air goes a long way. The thin straw that comes with these
cans can get into your hardware's tight crevices to clean out any debris and
dust that may have accumulated on your laptop's fan, diminishing its efficiency.
Stick the straw inside one of your laptop's vents and squeeze the trigger on the
can to give a good burst of air. You may even want to open up your laptop to
give it a better cleaning inside. Some laptops give you access to their internals
by removing the keyboard. Consult your computer's manual. Take a look at the
internal fans; see if you can lift some of the grime and dust that may have
collected. Give it a spin with your finger. If you still hear the noise or if the fan's
blades resist, it may be time for a replacement.

Insurance

Finally, whether you check your e-mail on the toilet, or drink beers while you surf
the net, consider the rough-and-tumble nature of your systems life and know how
to get help when your notebook takes ill. An important check-off item during the
purchase process is to check what most IT services companies and resellers
will offer as reasonable service options when you buy a notebook/laptop from
them. If you're buying your system from an internet or retail office supply store,
make sure the manufacturer has things covered.

If you have a laptop that is old and you want to get a new one, trade your old one
with cashforlaptops.com.