Computer issues

[WebLady]

Well I have been having issues with my computer off an on for the past several weeks. Sometimes it will just run slow, sometimes it will freeze up, the mouse will quit working, etc ... may just be time for a new one, but I hate to spend the money right now.

Anyway, last night DH decided to change the mouse and see if that was part of the problem. So I get up this morning, turn on the computer and nothing works! Both the mouse and the key board are dead! So I am freaking because I don't know how DH has all this stuff wired up.

I call DH at work and he figures he must have plugged something in wrong and/or unplugged the wrong thing last night. So he walks me through fixing it and after a hard reboot it all seems fine for now.

Well all of this has me a little worried and I think I need to learn more about the inner workings of things like this.

So do you all know how to do all this kind of stuff or do your DH/FH's do it all?

[Doglover]

I only have the internet at work....which will be changing if we get that house! But we have a computer guy that fixes all our problems. DH knows NOTHING about computers.

[Danielle9608]

IT sounds like you motherboard is starting to go. Is it a mac or pc?

[RevMatty]

I just for kicks and giggles, took a home steady course back in 95 for PC Repair and upgrade.
I do know if for some reason a mouse or keyboard is not plugged in correctly, the BIOS when you first start up, should detect it, and not boot to Windows.
If you get to Windows, then sounds like a possible driver (software that makes the hardware work) issue.
Another option is trying to defrag your hard drive, if it's to cluttered, or you have multiple programs running in the background all at once, it uses sytem resources and memory, and can cause an unstable PC. Kinda like 10 people talking to you all at once.

[WebLady]

IT sounds like you motherboard is starting to go. Is it a mac or pc?
It is a PC, we have had it for a while now (4+ yrs maybe) but we just replaced the mother board (I think that is what it was) a couple of months ago .. one day it just wouldn't turn on.

It is probably time to get another computer, we are just trying to hold out for a few more months. But if it comes down to it, we will get another one because I need it for work; and play of course ;)

I just for kicks and giggles, took a home steady course back in 95 for PC Repair and upgrade.
I do know if for some reason a mouse or keyboard is not plugged in correctly, the BIOS when you first start up, should detect it, and not boot to Windows.
If you get to Windows, then sounds like a possible driver (software that makes the hardware work) issue.
Another option is trying to defrag your hard drive, if it's to cluttered, or you have multiple programs running in the background all at once, it uses sytem resources and memory, and can cause an unstable PC. Kinda like 10 people talking to you all at once.
Yeah, everything booted up fine ... and we scan for spyware and stuff weekly, I think we do the defrag once a month or so. It is probably time to do it again.

ETA - I guess the main purpose of this topic was to see if I was the only one that relied on DH/FH to fix things. I don't know much about my computer except how to use it, if something goes wrong I have to ask him. It is the same with my car; I put gas in it and go, that is about all. I have changed a tire before though, that made me feel pretty good; though I hope I never have to do it again.

[lizardbnorton]

Robert is a computer programmer so he can do a lot of stuff with it. I think I know a little more about the hardware of a computer than him though.

[Danielle9608]

It is a PC, we have had it for a while now (4+ yrs maybe) but we just replaced the mother board (I think that is what it was) a couple of months ago .. one day it just wouldn't turn on.



This doesn't help you now ... but this same thing kept happening to my parent's computer too. I had to replaced their motherboard three times in their computer. Until I figured out they had ditty electricity, so I bought them a UPS (uninterruptible power source) and no more problems after that. They have a really old house so they dont get a steady steam of electricity like newer homes do.

[shawnsgirl]

I know quite about where what wire goes where and general stuff but FH takes care of the rest. If something isn't right I get him to fix it.

We have a few in expensive computer builders in my area that actually make house calls or you take your tower to them and they can help diagnose the problem. One guy actually builds computers in his house for fun. I had a similar issue like yours a year or so back (just after my warranty ran out) and I called on him and he got the part that I needed and was good to go. He fixed it for dirt cheap too! Perhaps, by talking to others there is someone nearby who does this sort of thing?

[KMS]

Sadly, I know very little about computers. FH has to do it all. And what he can't do, a computer store has to do for us!

[soontobemrs]

FH deals with all the computer stuff - I'm good with most programs but internally, that is his area of expertise.

[SerendipityCrafts]

I rely on DH :) I even call him from work sometimes when we are having PC problems (lol because I am IT - or at least in charge of finding out who can fix whatever, the quickest and in the most economical way).

As far as your computer problems go, I only have one suggestion - BUY A MAC! LOL

Seriously, we may occasional problems such as the computers running slow or applications quitting but we have never had to have them serviced, we have never had a MAC crash and we have never had a virus. IMHO they are worth every penny. When you factor in how much you pay for a PC plus the software .... a MAC really all that more expensive and you would love it for your web design business :)