Updating in progress 9:46AM 9/22/10
Frequently Asked Questions (and some questions that people SHOULD ask and don't.)
My computer won't turn on, what do I do?
What should I do if I spill a liquid on my laptop?
Why do you have such strange hours of operation?
My computer won't turn on, what do I do?
The words "won't turn on" can make it very difficult for the computer repair technician because that phrase is very general. To answer this question, we will ask a few questions and depending on your answers to those questions, we will do our best to advise you.
1. When you try to turn on the computer do you see any lights or hear any fans or other noises?
No Yes
What should I do if I spill a liquid on my laptop?
If you own a laptop, there is a big possibility that you may spill some sort of liquid (coffee, soda, water, etc.) on it. If this happens DO NOT TRY TO POWER IT BACK ON. If the computer has turned itself off, and you try to turn it back on, you may damage the computer more. If the computer is still running turn it off immediately, and don't turn it back on. Below are a few things to keep in mind if something is spilled on the laptop.
Why do you have such strange hours of operation?
We have such strange hours mainly because this is my second job. I am working to make this my main job, but as I build it up, I must work another job. The second reason for having such strange hours is because during the day many other people are working and would not be able to drop off their computer if we were only open 8:00 to 5:00.
Frequently Asked Questions (and some questions that people SHOULD ask and don't.)
My computer won't turn on, what do I do?
What should I do if I spill a liquid on my laptop?
Why do you have such strange hours of operation?
My computer won't turn on, what do I do?
The words "won't turn on" can make it very difficult for the computer repair technician because that phrase is very general. To answer this question, we will ask a few questions and depending on your answers to those questions, we will do our best to advise you.
1. When you try to turn on the computer do you see any lights or hear any fans or other noises?
No Yes
- try unplugging the power cord from the back of the computer. Let the computer sit for 10 or 15 minutes. Plug it back in and try again.
- and is plugged into a power strip or surge protector try unplugging the computer from the device and plug it into the wall directly.
- and neither of the previous things worked, chances are your computer is broken and you should take it to a computer repair shop.
When the computer is turning on do you see anything show up on the screen?
No
If yes - go to the next question
2.
If no - go to suggestion 2
If yes - go to the next question
3. Do you get to the point where you see the Windows logo?
If no - go to suggestion 3
If yes - go to suggestion 4
- check all the cords on the back of the computer to make sure they are plugged in tightly. (Especially check the cord going from the monitor to the computer.)
- try unplugging the power cord from the back of the computer. Let the computer sit for 10 or 15 minutes. Plug it back in and try again.
- and neither of the previous things worked, you will need to open up the computer to do further troubleshooting. If you are not comfortable doing this, take it to a good computer repair shop near you.
- Won't Power On - This means that the computer will do nothing, no lights, no fans, no noises, nothing.
- Won't POST - This means that the computer lights and fans may come on, but nothing comes onto the screen. Often times if it will not POST it will beep or make a noise of some kind.
- Won't boot - This means that your computer powers on, you see things coming up on the screen, even perhaps see the Windows logo, but it will not go into Windows.
- If your computer will not power on....
- If your computer will not POST....
- If your computer will not boot....
- restart the computer and tap the "F8" key until the computer stops at a menu with options such as "Safe Mode", "Safe Mode with Networking", and others. (Getting to this menu can be a bit tricky for timing. If you begin pressing "F8" too soon you can end up on the wrong menu, and you should try again. If you press it too late Windows is already loading and it will not give you the menu. Once you are at the menu, use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode" and press "Enter". Going into safe mode won't fix your computer, but it will let you and whoever is going to fix your computer know whether your computer is completely broken, or just a little broken.
- your computer could be having any number of problems. The most common is that Windows has a missing or corrupted file. If the file is missing and Windows needs it, then your computer won't go all the way into Windows. If the file is corrupted that means Windows can only read part of the file and therefore cannot use any of it. I would recommend bringing it to a computer repair shop near you.
What should I do if I spill a liquid on my laptop?
If you own a laptop, there is a big possibility that you may spill some sort of liquid (coffee, soda, water, etc.) on it. If this happens DO NOT TRY TO POWER IT BACK ON. If the computer has turned itself off, and you try to turn it back on, you may damage the computer more. If the computer is still running turn it off immediately, and don't turn it back on. Below are a few things to keep in mind if something is spilled on the laptop.
- As was stated before, DO NOT try to turn the computer back on yourself.
- If there is a large amount of liquid turn the computer on its side like you were trying to make a corner wall with the laptop. This will help some of the liquid to drain out.
- If there is a small amount of liquid, leave the computer upright.
- If the liquid is water, and you do not turn it on, the time from the spill until you take it to a laptop repair specialist is not as crucial as if the liquid contains sugar or acids (coffee, soda, wine, juice, etc.)
- If you have spilled anything other than water on the laptop, the time until you take it to a laptop repair specialist is absolutely crucial if you want your laptop to be repairable. The longer a liquid stays on the motherboard, the more time it has to dry, and the more time it has to dry the harder it is to clean. Obviously the harder it is to clean, the more you will be charged for it. Also for some of the more acidic liquids, it can start eating away at the motherboard which will make your laptop very expensive to fix, if it is fixable at all.
Why do you have such strange hours of operation?
We have such strange hours mainly because this is my second job. I am working to make this my main job, but as I build it up, I must work another job. The second reason for having such strange hours is because during the day many other people are working and would not be able to drop off their computer if we were only open 8:00 to 5:00.