Basic Guidance On How to Repair Your Computer Hardware and How to Maintain It

When we talk about PC and laptop repair and maintenance, we are basically dealing with the two major components of a PC, that of the intangible and the tangible components. The intangible components consist of the software or computer programs uploaded to a PC. On the other hand, the tangible components of the PC are the physical components consisting of the CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and all the tangible parts of the personal computer.  Maintenance and repair of PC Hardware are basically two related processes. PC Repair implies that you have to troubleshoot a software or hardware problem. While PC maintenance is how you maintain your PC in the most efficient condition which may also involve a bit of repair.

The Computer Hardware
The hardware components of the PC consist of the keyboard, the monitor, the CPU or Central Processing Unit, the mouse, and all the input/output devices (I/O) which are intricately related to each other in the PC. Having a working knowledge of basic hardware will enable you to make some simple yet useful maintenance and repair of your PC. Some repairs can be do-it-yourself processes (DIY), while for more complicated PC problems, such as problems with CPU and motherboard, you may be needing the service of a computer technician.

Maintenance of Your PC Hardware
The maintenance of your PC hardware includes keeping your hardware clean and neat. Say for instance, you need to keep the monitor, mouse, keyboards and other hardware free of dust and dirt. You can use a very soft cloth in wiping the surfaces of these devices. However, if you want to tinker with the internal hardware of your PC, you should at least ground yourself and turn off the power supply of your computer to avoid any injury to yourself. Likewise, you should be very careful in cleaning the inside of the chassis, because you may loosen up some connections or damage some of the sensitive components of you PC.

Keyboard and Monitor Maintenance
Always keep your keyboard neat and clean. You can do this by turning your keyboard upside down and slowly shaking it to clear it of some debris and crumbs which may have lodged in between the keys. You can also blast the keyboard quickly with compressed air. If you know how to pry the keys off, you can definitely try it so that you can see if there are dirt and dust underneath the keys. With the monitor, however, you can easily wipe it with a soft clean cloth to free it of dust and dirt.

Maintenance and Repair of the CPU
Problems with the CPU are complicated because it really affects the functioning of the PC. The CPU is a complicated structure which consists of the intricate connections and functioning of the motherboard, the random access memory (RAM), the Hard disk Drive (HDD), the CD-ROM, and the floppy disk. If you are not familiar with these different components, you will definitely find it hard to perform PC and laptop repair.

Inspect the Motherboard and its Components
If you look into the internal structure of your PC, you will discover that there is a city-like structure inside the chassis which we call the motherboard. The motherboard has the processor which does every logical operations of your computer. You will also see a lot of cables which interconnect the different components of the internal PC. Check the cables if their connectors are loosely attached. Likewise, check the power supply connection if it is properly placed. If you want to check the CPU, you can test it by placing it on another PC’s motherboard. Likewise, you should check the RAM chip if it is firmly affixed to its slot.

Check also the Peripheral Components. These peripherals like the sound cards, Ethernet cards, graphics cards, modems, and DVD recorders are usually attached to the motherboard. You can check if they are firmly affixed or connected to the motherboard. One caveat however before you touch anything inside your Computer, you should make it sure that you have turned it off.

The Hard disk Drive (HDD)
The Hard disk Drive (HDD) is basically a long-term storage device of your PC. You should check the setting of the jumper if you can’t detect the HDD for booting. Likewise, you should check if it is plugged into the socket. Don’t use so much force in plugging it to the socket because it may damage the pins. Likewise, don’t open the hard drive if you are not knowledgeable of its components.  The hard drive doesn’t necessary need external cleaning. You can clean the hard drive internally by defragmenting it. Defragmentation is the reorganization of files by physically arranging the related files together. This can create large free spaces in the hard drive for easy future storage of data.

Check the Random Access Memory (RAM) Chip
The RAM holds the temporary memory of your computer. You should check the RAM if it is rightly placed on its slot. Secure carefully the side clips which hold the RAM chip in place.

The Compact Disc Drive
If the compact disc drive or CD drive is not functioning, you should check the CD if it is scratched. You can do this by playing the CD on another PC. If it works, then the CD drive of the first PC might be defective. Thus, you have to check the power cable of the first PC to see if it is not loosely connected. Loose connection may be the culprit.

You can definitely do the maintenance and repair of your PC, if you have the know-how of PC and laptop repair. Miami, Florida and other cities around the United States have PC repair and maintenance shops if you want to avail of their services. However, it would be good to have a rudimentary knowledge of the basic PC and laptop repair so that you can save money and time.

PC and laptop repair can be a daunting task for those who are not familiar with the hardware and software of computer. Yet if you have some basic ideas of the hardware and software of PC, you will definitely find it easy to tinker with your PC and do some basic PC maintenance and repair jobs.