Tag: Hard Disk

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Sunday Tech Support

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Sunday Tech Support

I dropped back the laptop I finished fixing yesterday, then back to the office to finish remote support on a laptop I was working on yesterday that had  turned itself off. The customer and I couldn’t get it to connect again, so I drove over to pick pick it up. Back at the office I fixed the remaining problems, then jumped back in the car to return it to the customer. Social distancing, and antibacterial wipes were used, of course. The laptop had been very slow (for example, when opening Microsoft Excel), and occassionally locking up. Here’s a list of some of the things I did to fix it.

CDI Caution

  • The first thing I checked was the hard disk health. It reports it has reallocated sectors. In simple terms, it has had trouble reading several blocks of data, so when it did finally get read the data, it moved the data to ‘spare sectors’. I explained to the customer that if this was my own disk I would replace it as it’s the first sign of failure. However, we agreed to check the disk periodically and if the number of reallocted sectors increases, we will rplace the disk. Meanwhile, I set up an online backup (second copy) of the customer’s files.
  • I removed TotalAV Antivirus. It had been installed by mistake after an advert popped up a fake warning saying his antivirus was due to expire, and to ‘click here’ to continue protection. Clicking it downloaded and installed this software, even though the customer already had McAfee antivirus (which I don’t recommend either).
  • I removed Booking.com adware (advertising malware). It’s nothing to do with the holiday booking site, it’s an unwanted app that periodically shows adverts.
  • I had to do a password reset to log in to OneDrive.
  • I repaired some corrupt Windows files, did a tune-up, and installed a Windws Update.

I also provided phone support for a couple of internet and router/modem/hub connectivity problems. There were some other calls too, but this post is long enough and it’s 9:30pm and I’d like to get out of the office.

If you have any computer propblems that you need professional help with, please phone me if you’re in the UK. Phone numbers are on this page on a green icon (somewhere, depending on whether you’re on a computer, tablet or phone). If you’re outside the UK I can still help. Use the Contact Me form on this website and I’ll be in touch. Thanks!

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First full day back at the office today for three weeks.

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on First full day back at the office today for three weeks.

Some of the jobs planned for today:

  • Remote support to solve a lost password problem
  • Reinstall Windows 7 after a virus (customer wants a fresh reinstall)
  • Complete Windows Updates on the above PC. That’s a long job in itself because Windows Updates have been very slow lately, but I can use technicians tools to speed up the process
  • Replace failing hard drive
  • Solve a “Windows Repair” loop problem
  • Reset an old Android tablet and install key apps to see if it’s still usable. Decommission if not
  • Transfer old phone contacts to Google Contacts on an old Samsung phone so the magically appear on the customer’s new phone, then decommission the phone for recycling

I have a few other jobs to do too if I have time.

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Recent Jobs catchup

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Recent Jobs catchup

It has been a very busy time recently. I’m catching up with paperwork today, so here’s a selection of the recent jobs I’ve completed. “Remote support” is where I’m in the office and a customer logs me in via the internet, “on-site” is where I visit the customer’s home of office premises, and “return to base” is where I bring the computer back to my office to complete the work.

PC Tune-up via remote support.

Customer called saying he had a warning on his computer that he had a virus and “someone is trying to exploit your hard drive”, and that his files would be deleted in five minutes. He logged me in for remote support and less that 30 minutes later his computer was back to normal.

For another customer, he had a hard disk failure that needed a replacement, including data recovery and backup, supply and fit new hard disk, install Windows 10, and restore data from backup. Initially the customer reported several problems such as Chrome freezing when trying to attach files, Word and Excel freezing when using cut and paste, and Excel freezing when using “open” or “save as”. My diagnostics revealed that the hard disk was failing. Return to base to complete the work as it was more convenient for us both.

Security set-up on three PCs. Same customer as above logged me in for remote support on his three computers (one desktop, one old laptop, and one new laptop) to ensure all had my recommended combination of security software/apps.

Another long job. Customer contacted me about her computer freezing the un-freezing, constant cut-outs of Wifi, and the cursor jumping all over the screen when she was typing. I went on-site to take a look, but had to bring the laptop back to the office for more diagnostics. It turned out to be two separate issues; the freezing and WiFi issues were caused by a faulty DVD/CD drive (maybe shorting out), and the jumping cursor was caused by a faulty touch-pad. I removed the DVD/CD tray and disconnected the touch pad and returned the laptop to the customer (with a mouse she could borrow) while I sourced replacement parts. When the parts were in I went on-site and fitted them there.

That’s enough for now.

If you need help, please contact me on the numbers at the top-right of the page, or via this contact form this contact form (click here). Please do not leave comments to request help, as I may not see them for some time.

 

 

 

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Recent jobs

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Recent jobs

Here’s a selection of recent work I have done.

20 minute remote support for a regular client to fix a sounds and mic (microphone) problem. I installed one Windows Update for him too. We also scheduled another remote support session to upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. We had blocked the automatic upgrade because the client wanted me to oversee the upgrade process.

Remote support session to revert to Windows 7 after an unwanted automatic upgrade to Windows 10.

Troubleshooting a failing disk drive.

As always, backup! If you don’t have a second copy of those files and photos, it’s only a matter of time before you hard disk fails and you lose them. Contact me for help and advice on backing up.

 

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Today at Colin Bowen IT Services

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Today at Colin Bowen IT Services

Working in the office today. Already been for my walk and coffee, so here’s the plan:

  • Replace the failing hard disk in Dell hard disk failurethis PC, and transfer all the data and software over to the new super-fast solid state hard disk. It will look exactly the same to the client, but boot around three times faster and be much faster generally, and have more storage space
  • Logging in to a computer (at a client’s house) to upgrade it to Windows 10
  • More remote support to fix Windows Updates which are stuck at some failed updates
  • Logging in to a business client to set up an email account in Outlook 365 on a new user account
  • With the remaining time, I’ll be working on other “work in progress” and returning calls to other people who need tech support

If you need tech support, (computer, tablet, and phone help), please contact me and I’ll be pleased to help.

Recent Jobs

Recent Jobs – “Windows Pro Defense” fake antivirus, and data recovery.

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Recent Jobs – “Windows Pro Defense” fake antivirus, and data recovery.

Got a call from a new client about 10:30 today. Her (very nice) Sony PC had the “Windows Pro Defence” virus. It’s a fake antivirus program. Looks like they had spent a couple of days trying to remove it. It took me 40 minutes.

I also delivered an external hard disk to another client containing most or all of the six years of their family photos that I spend many days recovering from their laptop’s crashed and damaged hard disk.

Currently working on a Premium Tune-up to clear out and speed up another new client’s PC.