Computers

Mar 22 2009

Does my computer need regular servicing?

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Dirt, dust, and other stuff found inside a computer during recent servicing.

Does my computer need regular servicing? Yes. No matter where your computer lives there will be dust around.  Because a computer uses fans to help keep cool, that dust will get sucked into the computer.  Also, the critters that live around you probably like that warm and dry environment of the computer – this can include spiders, mice, geckos, frogs, and so on. They all leave something behind.  Eventually, your computer can get clogged with this build-up of dust, dirt, spider webs, dead insects and so on.  If not cleaned out periodically, the computer may overheat, or short out, causing components in your computer to fail.

Ignoring the inside of your computer can lead to your computer failing completely.  This applies just as much to laptops as desktop computers.  Although the empty space in a laptop is nowhere near as great, there are still places where dust and other stuff can build up.  Particularly because laptops are often used in places where a desktop computer wouldn’t be – such as in a car, sitting outside on a park bench, etc.

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By David • Computers • • Tags: , , , ,

Mar 20 2009

Anyone can fix computers. Right?

imageAnyone can fix a computer can’t they?

Everyone knows somebody who “knows computers” and is happy to help sort out computer problems.  A friend, or relative, like this can be great to have around when you run into something you’re not sure about.  It sure beats having to pay a professional computer tech to fix the problem!

However, just like every other trade (including motor mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc) a job that looks simple, particularly when you watch a professional doing the job, may actually be more complicated and only look simple because the person doing the work has years of training and experience behind them.

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By David • Computers • • Tags: , ,

Mar 19 2009

The Build Disc – Part 2 (Service Packs)

Windows Service PackIn part 1 I offered an overview of my goals for creating the build disc we use here.  In part 2, I’m taking a more detailed look at service packs and how this got automated and streamlined.

My goals for handling service packs were:

  • Identify the operating system.
  • Identify the current service pack level.
  • Decide if a service pack is needed.
  • If needed, go ahead and install the service pack without any further user interaction.

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By David • Build Disc • • Tags: , , , , ,

Mar 19 2009

The Build Disc – Part 1

CD Drawer on ComputerRunning a computer business inevitably means dealing with Windows Update.  Be it when getting new computers fully updated before sale or to finalise a repair where we needed to re-install Windows (aka system rebuild).

On a fresh install of Windows there might be hundreds of megabytes of downloads needed to make it fully patched.  Multiply this by many computers each week and the sheer volume of repetitive downloads becomes excessive.

Add to this that we have a ‘standard’ build for the computers that we sell (and repair) that includes a range of additional utilities as well as some particular configuration changes.

I want all of this stuff to happen every time we work on a computer.  I want it to happen the same each time so when we are doing follow-up support later we have a known standard in the build.  I also don’t want to blow out the businesses Internet bill downloading everything each time we do this.

This is the first of what will be a series of articles about my solution and how you can, if you want, implement it yourself.

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By David • Build Disc • • Tags: , , , , ,

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