Replacing a hard disk, and other computer tasks you can do at home

I’ve always worked on my own computers and have even assembled a few from scratch. I’m no genius but generally I can eventually get a balky computer running again. But there are some fix-it tasks that have proven– overtheyears–justnot worth the effort.

I’llgiveyouan example. In years gone by if a hard disk stopped working I’d do my best to talk some se nseinto it. I’d even go so far as taking it apart (not really ag ood idea at all since even tiny particles of dust inside will ruin one) and tinkering around to free up a frozen one.

And speaking of freezing, I’ve also put a bad disk in a plastic bag, sealed it and put it in the freezer for a while. At times the freezing and warming up would get the disk going – for a while. A short while.

But I’ve found that trick fixes like that are just that – tricks. They don’t usually work and whentheydothefix

tends to las tab out as long asa good hair cut. Sometimes that short working period is long

enough to transfer data fromthed ying disk. Even so, nowadays I rely on the back-up and junk the disk.

But there are some things you can do at home. Today I’ll talk

ab outsometask s that most careful people – even if they aren’t computer whizzes – can

handl e.W ewerejust talking about hard disks so let’s start there.

Replacing a hard disk

All this starts with the notion – sometimes

a crazy one on my part – that you have a complet e back-up. I t also assumes you either use asystemthatb acks up both programs and data or that you kept all the installation discs for your programs.

Replacin gadisk is truly easy. The neat thing about ha rd disks is that the wiring connections just snap on. And nowadaysm ost disks just slide out of their

holder although some are held in with fasteners or screws. Anyone who is willing to work slowly

and careful lycanre place a bad disk. Here are some step-by-step instructions: http://www.wikihow. com/Change-a-ComputerHard-Drive-Disk

Adding memory

If your computer has from 2 to 4 gigabytes of memory adding more may perk it up – turn it intoafas ter machine. And a lot depends on how you use the computer .If you are just sending a few

emails and browsing the Web and all is working fine, I wouldn’t bother.

But memory is cheap and if you computer is slow then bringing the

machine up to, say, 8 gigabytes is worth a try.

Just do me a favor. Stay groun ded.NoI don’t mean stay humble. I mean constantly touch the chassis of the computer as you are working to make sure you aren’t jolting the sensitive

chips wit ha killing charge of static electricity.

Here’s ho w you replace memory: http://www.pcworld. com/article/2957195/ components/how-toinstall-new-memory-inyour-pc.html

A clean sweep

Dust insi deacomputer eventually forms a blanket that covers the circuit boards. You’d be sur prised–evenin

the cleanest homes – all computers eve ntuallyget this blan ket. You know how a blanket works on your bed – it holds in the warmth so you can sleep comfortably.

Well, when it comes to computers, that blanket of dust works

the same way. It holds in the heat. But since heat eventually kills computer components we are talking about a final and long sleep in this case. One yo uwa nt to avoid.

Most of us would profit from making cleaning out the inside of the computer a on cea year job. Just open up the case (the manual that came

with your computer will tell you how) and use a can of compressed air to blow the dus toutof the machine. Yo ucang et

those cans of compressed air online at Amazon or at camera or computer stores. There are few other

chores that you can

perform. I’ll paste i na website that talks about cleaning the innards of your computer but it also has information on some other things you can

safely do at home to keep the computer running. Here’s the website: http:// www.pcworld.com/ article/2032032/12-mustdo-pc-tasks.html

Letmeendwith this final bit of advice. I

think these are easy jobs. However no one should feel compelled to do them if the thought

makes them nervous, or even if they just feel lazy. The best tool I’ve found for working on computers is made of plastic – it’s your credit card. So use my tips to do it yourself, or do it yourself with th at credit card.