Computer Repairs

Link: http://www.bristol-and-bath-home-computers.co.uk/

I have covered the dangers inside a computer, I have also covered the precautions that our engineers take when working inside your equipment, now I will give you some information about how you can work inside your computer with relative safety.

If you have read our previous posts you will be aware that there is little inside a computer that can harm you and that there is more chance of you damaging your computer, I will first cover aspects to protect your computer and then how to protect you.

Protecting your computer
It would make sense to explain how to protect yourself first after all you are far more important than a computer, the reason I do it this way is so you minimise damage to the computer while you are putting into effect your personal protection measures.

Static is a major contributing factor in the breakdown of computers, eliminating the damage from ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) can not only save money by not needing to purchase replacement components but also the annoyance of not being able to use the computer, this is a pain for for the home gamer but has more financial consequences for business users.

For the home computer repair amateur a static strap is essential, for the professional a static mat is preferable but the less conscientious engineer would only use a strap, Anti-static straps can cost very little around £5 but can save an enormous amount of money in the long run.

The following product is ideal for the occasional upgrade of your own computer.

This product is ideal for the more enthusiastic home computer hobbyist and essential for the computer professional.

The use of electrostatic straps and mats
Its a good idea to attach a strap to the computer before opening the case, I find a convenient spot being the fan grill, take care not to put the clip in too far in case you switch the computer on later and it prevents the fan from moving, using a mat, stand the computer on part of the mat attach the clip to the computer again the fan spot is ideal, try to avoid removing the strap while you are working on the computer.

When working on your computer and you remove a component, that can be a video card, hard disk or cpu etc never put the item down on the table, carpet and especially do not put it on top of an anti-static bag, it can be safely put down on the computer case because that is at the same potential as the component and you, if you use a mat items can be put down on the mat without risk of damage.

Never use a normal vacuum cleaner to clean dust from a computer, doing so will dramatically degrade your components, normal vacuums cause a great deal of static and putting this near a computer is almost guaranteed to degrade or destroy your system.

Physical connections in a computer are normally keyed so they only go in 1 way, sometimes it takes pressure to push the connection in, if it does need pressure you must ensure that it is the correct way around as using pressure on an incorrectly keyed plug will sometimes make it fit and can cause damage when power is applied.

Always handle components by the edges or expansion slot metal bracket, do not touch any integrated circuits or edge connectors on the board with bare board.

Ensure the power cord is removed, switched off or power is isolated on the power supply before removing any components, use of the power button on the front of the computer is not sufficient to isolate all power from the internal components.

Protecting you
Computers can have sharp edges, the case edges and internal components can pose a danger and is well worth looking out for before commencing any activity inside, attach your anti-static strap then check out the edge of the case, take cover off and check around the casing for sharp metal edges, any sharp metal places can be protected with the use of insulating tape, the metal case is earthed to prevent electromagnetic radiation and interference to other equipment try to avoid insulating the side panel or case top.

Removing components can require some force, ensure you will not damage your hands when removing tightly fixed components when they come free if possible use a flat blade screwdriver to break the seal before removing components.

Link: http://www.bristol-and-bath-home-computers.co.uk/

I have set this post up as a list of testimonials from our customers.

If anyone has used our services please leave a comment with your experiences.

Link: http://www.bristol-and-bath-home-computers.co.uk/

I am currently working on an amazing scheme where you can receive low cost computer repairs reducing our hourly rate buy a staggering 33%, to qualify for this unbelievable scheme will only involve a small amount of commitment from you, if you are fortunate enough to live within 10 miles of our offices (All Bath and Bristol included) you are entitled to register for this scheme, if you are outside the 10 mile zone the scheme is still available but there will be a small call out fee.

This is a trial scheme and may at any stage be discontinued however all customers already registered for the scheme will benefit from the savings for as long as your computer breathes life, ensure you are registered by either leaving your contact details as a comment or email amazingoffer@milsom.biz for more details, do it today to avoid disappointment.

Remember many companies have a no fix no fee policy,

We don’t need that, WE CAN FIX IT!!!!

Link: http://www.bristol-and-bath-home-computers.co.uk/

In my years of experience visiting many thousands of customers the vast majority want a computer to do its job, be that emailing friends, playing games, writing letters or just surfing the internet.

Most people don’t want to be installing this, configuring that, adding a new whatsitcalled to make it go faster or do what you need it to do, this is a safe attitude to have, this type of attitude will keep repairs to a minimum, by just using the programs that you require if things go wrong there is generally very little that needs to be done to get you back on track, at Bristol and Bath Home Computers we understand this and have a charging structure to take this into consideration, please visit our charges page to see how you can save money by calling us.

Some customers like to add things because they are there, an extra bit of software or a new game demo, that must have gadget to make the computer that little bit faster, or that photo editing software that is to die for, to tell you the truth this is how I started my computer career, it was quite a learning curve with many disasters along the way, I had days if things could go wrong they normally did, at stages I had some very ambitious plans many destined for failure but that never stopped me plodding on, although there were days I wished things would just go smoothly the challenge of recovering from an over ambitious project was great motivation, that said there were times when I would have loved someone to come along and get me up and running again, at Bristol and Bath Home Computers we can recover hardware clashes, software installs gone wrong and operating system failures, from the basic little dabble to the full blown system meltdown we can be there for you in your hour of need.

I have had many customers who claim to know everything about computers, some of them do some don’t, the ones that think they know everything but don’t know everything good for you, confidence is a great way of solving computer problems, it is also a good way of making things worse but provided you now your limits that is fine.
Visiting many of the top UK companies repairing everything from thin client, notebooks, and bubblejet printers to intercompany servers and colour laser printers I have met many professional help desks, although I was not strictly allowed to by my employer I would often answer questions from the helpdesk staff for problem they had, I was even stationed on large company helpdesks in charge of hardware and supporting software for multi site contracts.

No matter what your background we have the skills to help you, where many companies offer a no fix no fee policy, we do not need that, at Bristol and Bath Home Computers WE CAN FIX IT.

CAN WE FIX IT? YES WE CAN!

Link: http://www.bristol-and-bath-home-computers.co.uk/

One of our most popular services by far at Bristol and Bath Home Computers is the, installation and configuration of Wireless Routers, switches or access points, we have even set up entire wireless networks, there are many broadband suppliers such as Blueyonder, now Virgin Media, and all the badged versions of BT, AOL Broadband, Be, BT Total, Demon, Eclipse, Madasafish, O2 Boadband, Orange, Pipex, PlusNet, Post Office Broadband, Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, Tiscali, Toucan, UK Online and a few more.

Bristol and Bath Home computers can set up your wireless internet access very quickly, for many this may suffice, we will if required setup your broadband connection to ensure you as a user are as safe as possible and ensure all the best security practices are implemented on your system, this can be the basics like setting up a secure wireless connection to your router ensuring you have the appropriate virus scanners, firewalls and anti spyware detection, we will also configure your broadband suppliers or advise the optimal configuration setting for you to configure if you prefer.

In order to minimise our time on site there are a few things that can be done to speed up our configuration and install time.

1/ Ensure you have your modem plugged into the mains and the power light is illuminated.
2/ Ensure your router is available with all supporting software drivers, manuals and power leads/adaptors
3/ Ensure all driver disks, manuals and adaptors for all interface cards are available
4/ Have all login information for your service provider account and any helpdesk numbers at hand
5/ Have any required connecting leads, USB, Ethernet, Mains, we carry most leads but to minimise our charges having your own (normally supplied free) will help.

Keep a folder with all computer related information in one place this will help to organise your information and minimise our on site time.

We charge by the hour and will give you a progress report before we continue into the next charging period, we will also where appropriate or requested continue to optimise your computer for speed, safety and comfort until the end of the charging period.