Every computer breaks down at some point, and when that happens, you are faced with a decision: should you try to fix it yourself, or take it to a computer repair shop? Computer repair services are expensive, and depending on the severity of your issue, you may be better off simply buying a new PC.
However, if you want to avoid that issue entirely, you can always try to fix your PC yourself. Not only do you avoid the high fees of computer repair shops, but you can also learn a lot of useful information about PCs in the process.
With that in mind, here are some of the steps you can take to fix your PC if you want to avoid taking it to a computer repair shop.
Step 1: Diagnosis
Determine what kind of error your computer is experiencing. Is it not starting up correctly? Is it freezing randomly during use? Is it shutting down during performance-intensive tasks like gaming? Or has your PC simply started slowing down to a point where even the most basic tasks have become frustrating?
Your computer may also be displaying error messages. If it suddenly goes to a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), for example, then your PC may tell you why it has shut down. An error message, or a bunch of random numbers and letters, may pop up on screen. Write this error message down and save it for the next step.
Step 2: Research
It’s highly likely that somebody else in the world has had the same PC problems as you. And, if you’re lucky, they will have already posted about it online. The next step is to Google your problem. Type in any keywords relating to your error message and be as specific as possible. Click on all of the relevant results. Ideally, Google should show results from tech support forums where people have already asked and received answers to their questions.
This step is much easier if your computer has displayed a specific error message. Simply type that message out word for word and hundreds of results should pop up showing other people who have already dealt with your PC problem. If your error message was a series of numbers and letters, type that into Google and see what comes up.
Step 3: Solve your problem
Once you’ve narrowed down your PC problem and found information online about how to deal with it, it’s time to fix it yourself. Ideally, the information you’ve found online will provide step by step instructions about how to fix your error. This makes it easy for both newbie and advanced PC users to get the support they need.
Some online tech support websites will describe multiple ways to fix an error. If the first method doesn’t work, move on to the 2nd or 3rd suggestions. This process is called troubleshooting and it’s a very effective way to avoid the high costs of PC repair centers.
Still not fixed?
These 3 steps are an effective way to fix any PC problem and save hundreds of dollars at the computer repair shop. However, they won’t work for everybody. If you truly are one of the first people to experience your specific computer error, or if the information you’ve found on the internet doesn’t solve your problem, then you can always make a post about it on one of many tech forums on the internet. While you’re waiting, it never hurts to scan your PC with a program like PC Cleaner Pro 2012.
If you have followed all of the steps listed above and your computer still isn’t working properly, then you may have to take it into a computer repair shop. Or, of course, you could simply buy a new PC. Some problems can be easily solved at home, while others cannot, and learning the distinction between these two types of errors can help you save hundreds of dollars in tech support fees.
