Because computers play such an important role in our lives, it seems as if all we do comes to a grinding halt when they are not working as they should. Although there are many reasons why these problems occur, there are some very basic actions you can take to troubleshoot the issues.

1. Check your power and Internet connection. Your problem may not be your computer – it may be a power source or Internet connectivity issue. If your computer won’t start or flickers on and off, check that it is properly connected to its power source and that the power cable has not become loose on the back of your computer. If it powers on but won’t connect to the Internet, check that your access point is on and that the Internet is working and that your computer is properly connected to it.
2. Run a comprehensive virus/malware check. Even the most secure computers sometimes fall victim to a virus or other type of malware. Run the most comprehensive scan that your virus detection software has if you are seeing a slowdown or other computer malfunction. The scan will not only identify any malware on your computer but will also remove it.
3. Check for pending updates. Computers often run slowly or unpredictably when updates are pending. Although many software applications automatically update, this is not always the case. Begin your update checks with your operating system and continue the process through to your browsers and virus scanner and security program. Make sure to run all of the updates that each program indicates are necessary. Some of these may require you to restart your machine.
4. Remove unnecessary programs. If your computer has programs installed on it that you no longer use, consider uninstalling these. This will free up storage space and help your computer work faster.
5. If all of these steps haven’t worked, reinstall your operating system. While this step may sound complicated, it’s quite simple and removes most of the sources of computer software glitches. It also removes all of your data stored in the computer so, before you start, make sure that you have backed up all of your files. Then, if you are on a Windows machine, select Settings, Update and Security, and Reset this PC. For macOS, just hold down Cmd+R at the same time as you press your Mac power button. This launches the Utilities program.

Geeks on Site offers remote support services that can likely be used to help diagnose your issues. If your computer still isn’t working properly after trying these time-saving tricks, contact the computer repair experts at Geeks on Site at (888) 799-4335.

The first thought most individuals fear when their computer needs a repair is, “how long is this going to take?” Several factors contribute to how long a repair can take. If the issue is simple and straightforward to diagnose, that can shorten the time to fix your computer. However, if the issue is more complex to diagnose or there are multiple issues, it may delay the process. On average, computer repairs can range anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 weeks – factors such as scheduling or part availability can make repairs take longer. Thankfully, there are services you can consider that can speed up the process. Below is a list of factors that can help repair times.

Services that can help reduce computer repair times

Remote Support – Average time: a few hours

Remote support is an excellent option for specific services because virtual tech support takes commuting out of the equation. Instead of driving to a local repair shop, remote support offers a convenient repair option for even the busiest individuals. The best way to save time is with a membership or subscription to a reliable tech support company like Geeks on Site. As a pioneer of remote support, Geeks on Site is fully equipped to handle several common repairs remotely, saving you time. With remote support, many common computer repairs can be handled quickly, including:

• Wi-Fi support
• Running antivirus and spyware scans
• Software installations and upgrades
• Data recovery
• Network configuration
• Security setups
• Data backups

Same-Day Scheduling In-Home or In-Business Support – Average time: within 24 hours

Another service some repair shops offer is same-day scheduling for in-home or in-business support. This service can also be beneficial when it comes to saving time as you can preschedule a technician coming to you. In addition to services available remotely, on-site services can also help with:

• Desktop and laptop repairs for PC and Mac computers
• Installing printers, cameras, scanners, and more
• Setup and configure a router
• Home entertainment setup or configuration
• Computer setup
• Training

Do not have a lot of time to wait on computer repairs? Geeks on Site’s team of experts can have a technician come to your home or business within 2 hours of calling. Contact us today at (888) 799-4335 to get started!

Performing preventive maintenance on your computer both internally and externally means that you are proactively making sure that it is in optimum condition for you to use whenever you need it. This is important because most users depend on their computers working at their best to help them complete vital projects.

Tasks such as installing your Windows updates, making certain that your computer is free of viruses and malware, and backing up files are just a few ways to conduct your own preventive maintenance. It is also important to conduct preventive maintenance on the external parts of your computer. Here’s why both internal and external preventive maintenance is key to your computer’s performance:

• You save money because preventive maintenance prolongs the life of your computer and any other equipment associated with it.
• Your computer’s efficiency is increased.
• Your computer’s safety is increased.
• Any problems with your computer’s functioning are detected and diagnosed quickly and can likely be fixed quickly.
• You avoid dust buildup that can lead to overheating and burning out your computer’s components.
• You can consistently rely on your computer functioning at its best.
• You save money on corrective maintenance, which can often cost as much as five times more than preventive maintenance.
• You don’t lose time or money due to computer downtime.

Why Choose Geeks on Site for Your Preventive Computer Maintenance?

For years, the team of Geeks on Site IT techs have been providing reliable on-site and remote computer maintenance and service for both hardware and software. Our Geeks are available to provide on-site service to customers around the country in many markets and take pride in providing quality service.  Geeks also offers a 7-day warranty to ensure your complete satisfaction whether you chose on-site or remote service. If you are looking for help with ongoing computer maintenance, we urge you to contact the professionals of Geeks on Site today.

If you want to be sure you are always protected and have all the maintenance up to date on your computer, check out our Geek for Life Membership for unlimited remote support for only $19.95 per month.

If your laptop is beginning to run slow, there are several possible causes that could be solved with a little troubleshooting.

One reason your laptop may be running slow is a full hard drive. Every file and program you install on your computer will take up space on your hard drive. Check how much available space your hard drive has and delete any files or programs that you do not need. Also, check your download folder and delete any installer packages that you no longer need. There are probably a lot of files that are just taking up space on your machine and not being used.

If your laptop is older, there is a chance you do not have enough RAM (random access memory) for the programs you are running. RAM is what your computer uses to access data on the hard drive. The more RAM your computer has, the quicker it can access data. If you believe your computer needs more RAM, take your PC to a professional for guidance on how much you need to add.

To speed up your laptop, you should also make sure that any pending software or operating system updates are allowed to run. This may also require you to restart your laptop.

If you have enough space on your hard drive, you have plenty of RAM, and you have allowed all updates to install, there is a chance you may have a virus on your computer. Running a quick virus scan will help determine if you accidentally downloaded a virus or spyware on your machine.

Still not able to figure it out? Ask an expert to professionally troubleshoot your laptop. Geeks on Site may be able to help, contact us today for your slow laptop fix.

Computer maintenance is the number one task you can do to make sure that the computer equipment you rely on day after day is always working at its best for you. Here are some ways how you can maintain your computer properly:

• Your software and operating system are always updated and working correctly.
• You know if you have a virus or malware and can get rid of it as soon as possible.
• You are sure that you are backing up your important files.
• There is no dust buildup inside your computer that could cause its components to overheat and burn out.
• Your computer’s power supply works reliably.
• You are certain that your security software is keeping your computer safe.
• Surge protectors and other external equipment work consistently.
• You save money on corrective maintenance.
• Your computer operates at top speed because its hard drive isn’t storing useless information.
• Your Internet works at top speed because you keep your web history clear and don’t have temporary Internet files.
• You can consistently rely on your computer for important tasks knowing that it is in good operating condition.

Why Choose Geeks on Site for Your Computer Maintenance?

Geeks on Site techs have years of experience addressing computer maintenance issues in homes and businesses. Our experienced team can provide safe IT service on-site in these markets, as well as remotely or anywhere in the US – depending on your preference. Geeks on Site offers a 7-day warranty on our service to ensure your satisfaction. Contact your local IT experts at Geeks on Site to review your computer maintenance plan.

When your device only shows a blue screen – known to techies and beyond as the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) – it has a stop error. Chances are likely that there has been a system crash, which means the Windows operating system you are using can no longer operate safely.

The good news is that the dreaded blue screen isn’t always as bad as it sounds. At the point when the blue screen occurs, your Windows system creates a “minidump” file that saves information about the crash to your disk. The system also automatically tries to restart itself using information from that file.

To understand why the blue screen has appeared and to check that your device actually had a blue screen event, disable the automatic restarts on the screen from the Windows Control Panel. Next, look at the messages in the Windows Event Viewer that likely will include blue screen messages, application crash messages, and other system log messages.

Then, access your Windows Action Center and choose Maintenance to address the problem noted in the Event Viewer messages. If Windows doesn’t repair its system this way, you may want to try running a scan for malware and remove it if it is there or reset or reinstall Windows.

Need help with your blue screen? Geeks on Site is available to fix your computer today. Just give us a call at (888) 799-4335.

If your computer continues to freeze while you are in the middle of working, there could be a few things causing the freeze, so you will want to do some basic troubleshooting.

If your PC or laptop freezes on a regular basis, a possible culprit could be a wireless mouse. The batteries on your mouse might be dying and losing connection which can be frustrating but is an easy fix. Try changing the batteries and see if the problem fixes if itself.

Check to make sure your computer is not overheating. Overheating is often a result of the environment that the computer is in. Check your owner’s manual for storage and operation conditions to ensure that you are following requirements. The casing on your computer is also very important and may not be what is required. Make sure the fan is running and that there is proper ventilation.

Check the software you are using, it may need to be updated or restarted. Third-party software is often the culprit for computer freezes. Run a quick scan to see if all of the software on your computer has the latest version of the software installed. If your operating system or software programs have updates pending, allow these to run and restart your computer.

If these do not seem to be the cause for your computer freezing, or you find your computer or laptop frozen on a regular basis, it may be time to seek out a trained professional who can properly diagnose your computer. Contact Geeks on Site today for assistance.

When deciding whether it is time to replace your computer, there are several factors to consider.

• Age of your computer – The industry standard for replacing a desktop or laptop is every three to four years. This is mostly because the costs of repairing an older computer begin to rise substantially – to 50% of its purchase price and more, after four years.
• What do you need your computer to do? – Do you want your computer to run faster and have more efficient hardware – such as increased Random-Access Memory (RAM) and a solid-state drive (SSD)? Is your Internet content downloading slowly? Would you like to upgrade your operating system to the most current one available? Is your new software not working well? If you have answered “yes” to more than one of these questions, chances are good that is time to replace your computer.
• Cost of repairing an old computer versus the cost of replacing it – New computers vary greatly in cost so this must be considered when deciding the right time to replace your computer. Computers can cost as low as $400 for a basic model with limited storage space or as much as $3,500 for a high-end desktop with a large hard drive. You will also need to consider the cost of software and malware protective software, which usually costs over $200. Transferring files from your old computer to the new one and getting the new one set up properly can cost a few hundred as well if you hire an IT professional.On the other hand, fixing your old computer might be as simple as updating your software (free of cost) or as costly and complex as hardware replacement. This could run between $200 and $600 for professional services, in addition to parts and software. Consider this against the cost of a new machine and the other factors (age and what you need your computer to do).

Contact the professional IT technicians at Geeks on Site to help you look at the pros and cons and determine what’s best for you and your budget. We take great pride in providing quality IT support and services nationwide.

Before you fire up your new computer to check your emails, surf the web, or install additional software, you want to protect yourself from imminent threats on the Internet. The security of your computer and data is important. Every day, an estimated 560,000 new pieces of malware are detected, leaving your new investment vulnerable to attacks.

Update Your OS

Before installing additional software on your new computer, you’ll need to verify you are running the most updated version of Windows, your operating system (OS). Running an OS update allows your computer to be compatible and communicate with the most current information to run your apps efficiently and notify you when a threat has occurred. Windows will have likely released several updates from the time your computer was boxed by the manufacturer and the time you unbox the computer at home. Depending on how many updates are pending, this could take a little time and require a reboot or two of your computer.

Install Antivirus Software

Once you’ve run your system updates the first thing you want to install is an antivirus. Your system may come preinstalled with an antivirus such as Windows Defender for PCs. In some cases, special trial offers on third-party antivirus software are also included. There are several free and paid versions of antivirus software available. Each one has features and benefits that match different needs. For the average user, at Geeks on Site, we recommend installing Avast.

Our experienced team of computer techs is available to assist you with setting up and installing software on your new computer. Contact Geeks on Site today!