Comments on: 3 Simplest DIY Computer Repairs Anyone Can Do

By: Guy McDowell

Guy McDowell — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:10:57 +0000

Thank you. I’m retiring from writing for a little bit.

By: Helen Dangote

Helen Dangote — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:34:17 +0000

This is a great post. It shows one of the best ways to get computers fixed. What I like about this article is how you’ve used images to illustrate the steps at any one point.

Great post, keep it up

By: Jawahar

Jawahar — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:52:09 +0000

Thanks……Good Explanation….

By: douglas cumminggs

douglas cumminggs — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:46:06 +0000

love this site. only found out about it 3 days ago

By: Rick Stanley

Rick Stanley — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:55:33 +0000

First of all, any time that you work on the inside of a computer box, you should unplug ALL of the cables in the back, front, side, top, etc…

Grounding strap:

Once that is done and you are using a grounding strap, WHY would you then connect the strap to the frame of the box, that itself is NOT grounded?!

PLEASE connect the grounding strap to an EARTH GROUND, such as a properly grounded metal water pipe, a properly grounded electrical outlet box, radiator, etc… (Test first and/or check with a licensed electrician, licensed plumber, etc…)

RAM, PCI Cards, etc…

If you suspect a RAM or other card not making proper connection, pull the card, then clean the contacts first either with alcohol, or a commercial electrical contact cleaner, BEFORE reinserting the card back in place. Please make sure the card is completely dry BEFORE reinserting! DO NOT spray any cleaner onto the Motherboard, power supply, or any other internal part. Avoid the use of stronger solvents.

AIR:

Use a can of compressed air to BLOW out any dust inside the computer. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner, as some may generate static electricity.

IANAL, however: Whenever you work on the internals of your computer yourself, YOU accept ALL risks for any problems, or damage that may occur as a result. My advise above carries NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, explicit or implied!!!

By: Karthikeyan

Karthikeyan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:15:39 +0000

Thanks very much for this useful article.

Could also be great if published like an article for DIY maitenance tips for Laptops!!

By: steve the builder

steve the builder — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:12:42 +0000

3 Simplest DIY Computer Repairs Anyone Can Do

Thanks for sharing

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:03:11 +0000

Something similar happened to me, but it wasn’t a client but a big box store! My mother’s dog chewed on her laptop cord, there was smoke later, so they brought it “in.” The tech plugged it in WITH THE OLD CORD, got no response, and said he could send it away to be repaired but that it would be cheaper to get a new laptop! I came over, tried plugging it in with a different cord, and everything’s fine (except for needing a new cord)!

I’ve also had to do the whole “on-site, nothing but a reboot needed” thing before. Annoying, but always funny later, right?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:49:49 +0000

Personally, I HATE changing out power supplies – it’s not that it’s hard; it’s just a tedious procedure, especially if you are trying to keep airflow in mind or have a couple of hard drives.

By: Guy McDowell

Guy McDowell — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:02:55 +0000

Thanks. I had a college prof who told a story of a support call he took once. The client was 200Km away. He asked the client to check the cable under his desk. The client simply refused to believe that was the problem. He had to drive 400Km total to spend 2 minutes plugging in that cable. The cost probably could have bought the client several new computers.