Tag: computers
Memory, motherboards and hard drives, what’s the dif?
Many of my clients will call and say their computers are slow and usually they say “I think my computer is out of memory, I have deleted a bunch of stuff and it’s still slow”
I explain to them that their memory is not out of space, but rather their hard drive may be out of space, and that’s not usually the culprit of a slow computer. Let’s first start with explaining what memory is and what a hard drive is.
Today’s blog is to help the basic user understand the differences!
MEMORY: Your computer comes with 2 types of memory, but the only one we will talk about is RAM (random access memory). These are little green sticks that are installed inside your computer. Every computer has RAM installed, but it’s usually the bare minimum. You need to purchase more to make the computer go faster. Or rather I should add, do more work. With more memory, you can run more applcations and work much more efficiently.
Here is what memory looks like:
The easiest tool on the internet to find out how much memory you have installed and how much you can upgrade to, is to use the Crucial Scanner, Their scanner is awesome and also allows you to buy the memory you need to get your computer up to it’s optimal speed.
HARD DRIVES: This is where your operating sytem and programs are installed and what makes the computer start up and get going. This is also the place where your pictures, music and your documents are stored.
This is a picture of a hard drive. It’s in the computer right next to your DVD player.
MOTHERBOARDS: Finally, here is what a motherboard looks like. It’s like your car’s computer, it makes it run. Without it, you have no computer. There is really no reason a basic user will need to do anything with this componet of the computer unless you want to install your own memory. I don’t recommend you get in there and play!
Defragging and what it really means
Many of my clients will call and say “I defragged, but it isn’t faster”…
Defragmenting a computer or “defragging” will not speed up your computer. I think it’s an old wives tale that comes from years ago when it probably did help the computer. But in these days, a computer running slow can be from many other issues.
What does “defrag” mean?
Simply put…
It means to clean up the fragmented parts of the hard drive (fragment means scattered bits that need to be put back into place that have been moved caused by uninstallation of programs or just Windows installation issues).
If you defrag, your computer will run more efficiently, but not necessarily faster.
*For a faster machine, you can have a computer cleaning done by Call That Girl. Charges run about an hour for this service.
*You may also need to add more memory. Especially if you are running alot of programs at once.
*As well…your hard drive may be getting close to full. With music and game downloading so popular now, it’s not hard to get your hard drive to max capacity.
Buying an external hard drive for the music is a great idea! (and you can back up your data there too!)
For a consultation about your hard drive, computer cleaning or anything else in regards to defragging, please contact me at info@callthatgirl.biz.
Thanks for Bloggin with That Girl!
Cleaning up your software
How do you know what programs should be on your computer or not? I generally do a quick scan and see what looks like it should be there and what should not be there
What should be installed?
- Programs you have paid for
- Operating system and printer applications/driver
- Downloaded programs from the internet/disks
What shouldn’t be there? Spyware programs! You can easily tell a spyware program by 2 things.
- the word “search” is in the name of the program
- the program is very small in size (under 1 mb usually)
If you want to delete those little buggers, you can. Just a reminder that sometimes a removal of those spyware will take you to an internet site and require a download of a tool to uninstall it. Generally that is the safest way to go, follow the spyware instructions. Back in the day it was hard to remove the spyware, but today it’s a big easier.
Sometimes the computer will require a reboot after removing. Make sure you watch for that window or option in a window because you may want to wait to reboot until you are done.
TIP…many “coupon” saving websites will download a tool, so if you’re a coupon maniac, you may want to remember that those coupons you are cyber clipping is maybe adding spyware. Most people hate it when I remove that coupon tool, but it’s really best for your computer.
Computer Repair Minneapolis
Why choose Call That Girl?
We are a great choice for the home users! Benefits of using our services:
- Our easy to connect “remote login” is an affordable solution to take care of many computer problems
- We will talk to your children if necessary to train them to use the computer in a manner that is safe
- We will help guide you to make better decisions with your computer
- We do a follow up at the end of every support call to make sure you know how to avoid mistakes
- We offer a quick call follow up for free if you have a question or two
Our personable technicians will talk to you on “your level” and support you and your family with the choices you can afford. (Sometimes having the “neighbor kid” fix your computer only goes so far).
Please see the list of services below, start making your list of questions, and call for a home visit today!
If your internet works, we prefer to remote into your computer to fix any software issues. We only ask you to bring your computer into our shop if if you have the following issues:
- Bad Virus/Internet is not working
- Computer crashes/Blue or Black screen when you start the computer
- Refreshing the computer (bring it back to the day you bought it)
Service Options
Phone Support: (our most popular!) $25 for 15 minute minimum, $75 per hour
Here at Call That Girl we offer or phone support as a fast, convenient, and affordable way to treat a wide range of issues. Our technicians will guide you through the steps needed to effectively resolve your problem, while at the same time offering their expertise so that you may prevent future computer difficulties.
Home/Office Support: Starts at $85 an hour and goes up depending on where you live.
In-Shop Support: $75 per hour (average cost of repair is $112)
Extra’s
- Client Agreement form
- Delivery and onsite pick up available! http://www.bontime.com
- Call That Girl accepts credit cards and we use Logmein Rescue for remote support.
- Diagnostic charge? Not with Call That Girl!
- Before every appointment our technicians will discuss with you the current security of your computer and will suggest backing up your machine’s document, pictures, music, etc. Your “stuff” is important to us too!
Ono! My computer froze!
Sometimes an application or your computer will freeze and you can’t do anything…or can you?
There are a few things that can cause computers to freeze:
- Too much going on: Having too many programs open at once and moving too fast for the computer to manage the bigger applications
- Overclicking keys “Overclicking” doesn’t help at all. It’s equal to hitting the elevator button 15 times to get it there faster. Hitting the enter or delete key once is all you need. Hitting it faster or harder, only confuses the computer and will halt to a big freeze.
- Downloading: Downloading large files and trying to do many things at once
- Low hardware memory for what you are doing
- Lack of sleep reboot or turn off your computer sometimes, they get tired too!
- Check the heat If your computer is hot or boiling hot, turn it off at night
TRICK to save your stuff if you are in the middle of a deep freeze:
- Start with the “alt + tab” trick, find your work that needs to be saved,
- Then hit “Ctrl + S”, it will bring up a “save as” box.
If this fails, I recommend just leaving your computer for a few minutes and let it settle down. Sometimes we work too hard and the computer/application can get “confused”. Letting it rest awhile, will give the application time to figure itself out. And clicking-clicking-clicking trying to get it to work, only confuses it more.
Go get something to drink, take a break and come back and see if the mouse moves again.
What if you did all of that and the computer is still frozen? Shutting off the computer is sometimes the only choice you have. If you have “auto-save” features in your documentation/email programs, you should be able to get back your recently worked on work. If you do not have auto save on, then you will probably have to start over.
Finally…to turn on Auto-save, you must open a new document, name it and save it on the hard drive. This is a must!!!
Go Ahead.. Ask A Question!
Blog That Girl is the blog of “Call That Girl”. The technical diary of a woman running her own computer repair business. Listed in this blog you will find documentation, tips and tricks and maybe a few rants and raves from my life as a woman running her own business. Thanks and enjoy! Lisa
This area is an open blog for everyone! Feel free to post a question in the comment field below, and I will try my best to give you a fast answer!