A computer is a complex collection of hardware and software, and problems can easily occur with a computer. By knowing how to fix problems with your computer yourself, you can save a lot of money on repairs and buying new hardware, and your computer will also perform well for many years. You can put a lot of effort into maintenance through the operating system, and repairing hardware is generally not as difficult as one might think.
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Part 1 of 2: Maintaining the Operating System
Step 1. Remove the virus
Viruses are the main cause of most computer problems. By removing viruses and ensuring that the computer is free of viruses, the health of the computer will be much more guaranteed.
If you don't have an antivirus program, install one. Mac users should also install an antivirus program, as Macs are already targets for bigger viruses
Step 2. Remove adware
Adware is a program that is often installed with other programs, and adware can be difficult to remove. The adware program delivers advertisements and may hijack your browser. Some adware targets users' personal information.
Step 3. Remove unwanted browser toolbars
Most toolbars can cause the browser to run slowly, and many toolbars are difficult to remove. If you can't remove it after trying many ways, you may have to reinstall your browser or install a new one.
Step 4. Remove unused programs
If you have a lot of unused programs, they will take up disk space, and also have the potential to slow down your computer because programs may be working behind the scenes. Check the list of programs and remove programs that are no longer in use.
Check out this guide to learn how to uninstall programs on OS X
Step 5. Clean the computer startup process.
Many programs, legitimate or not, will run on their own when the startup process starts. When too many programs start when the operating system starts up, computer performance can actually slow down.
Step 6. Clean the hard disk space
For optimal efficiency, hard drives should always have at least 15% of available space, even better if there is at least 25% of space. By having plenty of free space, the operating system can move files in the installation and defragment process more smoothly.
Step 7. Clean the registry (Windows)
Registry in Windows contains information of all installed programs. Often when a program is uninstalled, it leaves data in the registry. As the registry builds up, Windows takes longer to find the required data in the registry.
Step 8. Install the update
Often times, problems that are encountered frequently can be fixed by updating the operating system. By installing the latest version updates, you can also ensure that your computer is safe from outside attacks.
Check out the guide at this link https://www.wikihow.com/Upgrade-Mac-System-Software (in English) to learn how to update OS X
Step 9. Set up a data backup system
When something bad happens to a computer, the worst that can happen is data loss. By setting up a data backup system, you can protect important files from hardware failure or virus attack. With data backup for all the important things, hardware replacement is also easier.
Step 10. Reinstall the operating system
If you can't resolve the operating system problem you're having, it might be easier to just reinstall the operating system and start over from scratch. With the data that has been backed up, the reinstallation process can be done very easily.
- Windows 7 reinstall guide
- Windows 8 reinstall guide
- To reinstall OS X: https://www.wikihow.com/Reinstall-OS-X-Lion (in English)
Part 2 of 2: Maintaining and Replacing Hardware
Step 1. Clean the computer to prevent the computer from overheating
Unless you work in a completely sterile environment, dust will accumulate inside the computer. Dust can cause computer components to overheat and clog fans. Too much dust can also cause a short circuit. Try to clean the dust inside the computer once a month.
Step 2. Replace the RAM that is not working smoothly
If the operating system crashes frequently, it may be due to a memory error. Replacing RAM is one of the easiest hardware replacement efforts to do, but choosing the right RAM can be difficult.
You can check the memory with a program called MemTest86
Step 3. Replace the hard drive that is not working smoothly
If you have problems installing programs, have corrupted files, and frequent crashes on your computer, your computer's hard drive may have a problem. There are several ways to check for hard drive errors that may be fixable. If the hard drive really doesn't work, you can install a new hard drive.
If the problematic hard drive is hosting the operating system, you will need to reinstall the operating system after installing the new drive
Step 4. Replace the problematic video card
If the display color of the screen is seriously problematic or the displayed image is distorted, the video card may be starting to malfunction. If you can, test the video card by plugging it into another monitor first before deciding to buy a new video card.
Step 5. Install the new optical drive
If the disc drive isn't working properly, or if it makes a lot of noise when reading discs, you may need to install a new optical drive. Traditional DVD drives are very cheap, and you can have them installed in just minutes.
Step 6. Install a fan to lower the temperature
If the computer overheats, serious damage can be done to the computer components. Many computers will automatically shut down when they reach a certain temperature, so if you experience this, especially when running heavy programs, your computer may overheat. By installing more fans or replacing a fan that is damaged, you can make a big difference to your computer's internal temperature.
You can install software to monitor the internal temperature of the computer
Step 7. Replace the charger that is not working properly
If the computer suddenly shuts down, or won't turn on, the computer's electrical charger might have a problem or damage. You can test the charger to see if it's the main cause of the computer shutting down or won't turn on. If indeed the power loader is the cause, you can replace it with a new or more powerful one.
Step 8. Assemble the new computer
If you've tried everything and your computer is still running slowly, it may be time to replace it with a new one. Assembling a new computer isn't as difficult as you might think, and you may be able to reuse some of your existing computer components (if they're not too old).
