Purchasing a laptop isn’t a small investment and can be quite expensive if you need to repair or replace it.  It is important that a laptop is kept in top shape to increases its longevity and effectiveness.  Here are some tips on what to avoid in order to keep your laptop running efficiently for as long as possible.

Don’t Take the Term Laptop Too Literally

Nope, unlike the name states a laptop should never be set on top of your lap.  The truth is that by putting a laptop on your lap you actually decrease the lifespan of your machine.  A laptops processor, which is the brain of the PC, gets hot!  The vent to release the heat is likely to be located on the bottom of the laptop where ventilation is scarce.  This vent if covered by pants or blankets the laptop overheats. Another side effect of putting a laptop on your lap is that dust begins to settle.  Even when this dust is then removed using canned air it is not really removed, it is just shuffled internally which can hurt the processor and internal workings of the laptop as well.

Don’t Forget to Shut Your Laptop Off Occasionally

It is so easy to simply close the laptop lid at the end of the night without shutting it down however this isn’t always what is best for the health of the laptop.  Many of us fall into this trap because the next morning when we want to use it, the computer boots up within seconds.  By shutting down your laptop on a regular basis, it allows the PC to install the fixes that need to run in order to update the software vulnerabilities.  Laptops, like desktops, do not apply the fixes unless the computer is restarted.  For the best results we recommend shutting your laptop down at least once a week (or more).  

Don’t Overlook the Importance of a Surge Protector

Using a surge protector should be quite obvious however, so many people forget to use one when using their laptops.  It is common to hear that you should unplug electronics during storms.  If your laptop is plugged in and lighting hits and the computer is not plugged into a surge protector, you will likely fry your laptop.  

Don’t Disregard the Importance of Installing an Antivirus

This too should go without saying, an antivirus is critical for the protection of your laptop.  Antivirus protection is essential for both laptops and desktops as it keeps the bugs from getting into your systems.  Which let’s be clear, happens all the time when you are surfing the internet.  Malware and virus’s make your computer run hot and can “break” your laptop.  Antivirus should be installed and regularly updated to keep your system safe.

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.

There are a number of ailments that can curse your PC.  Most computer issues can be troubleshot at home however more complex computer problems may require professional computer repair by a trained technician.  Do-It-Yourself repairs may seem like a solid idea, however, overtime it may make more sense to take it to a computer repair store.

Software and hardware issues can often complicate the process of computer repair.  When Do-It-Yourselfers start digging into their computers they can often have a difficult time getting the pieces put back together. There are some issues that just need an expert’s touch including some of the issues below.

Blue Screen of Death

The most common ailment seen by the experts at CPS have to do with the blue screen of death, commonly referred to as BSOD.  Not only is it the most common issue to see it is also difficult to fix.  When your laptop or desktop computer screen turns blue it means that the PC’s system has experienced something traumatic in which it had to come to a forced, abrupt stop.  More often than not the problem has to do with the computer’s hardware or driver.  This causes a STOP code to appear (the blue screen of death) and the computer shuts down. 

When this occurs the only way to cure this computer ailment is to take it in to a computer repair store for a technician to diagnosis and repair it.  Through a series of computer diagnostic tests, the technician will be able to determine an official computer diagnosis.  Many issues give the Blue Screen of Death Error Code.  Depending on the error code your computer is displaying, the pc troubleshooting steps differ.  This is one of the reasons it is so important to take it into a computer repair technician over fixing it on your own.

Graphical Errors

Another common issue that is known to occur when you turn on your computer is that the screen is a muddled mess.  Graphical errors may be common, but the necessary fix isn’t always which is why you should take it into a computer repair store for repair and diagnosis.  Graphic issues are most often associated with software.  If your screen looks distorted and the images are not displaying correctly it is time to take your PC in for diagnosis. 

The technician will run some tests to determine if it is a software issue as sometimes a graphic disruption can involve a video card driver. A computer repair technician will have the capabilities to troubleshoot graphical errors.

Other common computer issues that occur which require a pc technician include blank monitors, operating system errors, virus warnings, and such.  Contact the technical professionals at Creative Programs and Systems for any and all of your computer repair issues. 

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.

Business of all shapes and sizes have begun to realize the importance of hiring consultants in the drive to grow their businesses.  A consultant is a person who offers expert advice for an hourly fee.  Often, they have a niche in which they specialize and can provide their expertise along with an outside perspective. Consultants give businesses opportunities to increase their productivity and expand business opportunities.  

One area many companies seek to hire consultants is the world of IT.  Information Technology has changed the way in which society as a whole operates thus its importance in business has increased as well.  IT services transform how businesses operate.  IT consultants are brought in to help businesses keep up with the latest trends in technology.  Efficiency is a key element in business.  IT consultants implement technology throughout business applications to increase effectiveness in all areas of your company.

The Benefits of Hiring IT Consultants in Business

Hiring an IT consultant allows you to focus clearly on core business functions.  There is no doubt that employees are at their best when they are allowed to focus on their intended position.  This is true no matter what industry you are in.  From Teachers to Doctors, Sanitation Specialist to Engineers, when you are allowed to concentrate on your job and only your job, you will be more successful.  Nothing is more frustrating for employees and business owners alike to be distracted from what they are supposed to be doing to focus on a task that is not relevant to them such as technology repair or upgrades.  Hiring an IT consultant allows associates to focus on their core job which increases your bottom line.

Hiring an IT consultant allows you to benefit from a specialist.  Yes, having an IT department does have benefits, when your printer stops printing there is someone on site to instantly handle the issue.  However, the same person that knows how to fix your printer, reboot your computer, and can handle the ins and outs of your current system are not the same as a consultant that comes in, evaluates the overall system and based on experience recommends more efficient solutions to common, everyday operations.  Experienced IT consulting services have likely helped many companies in similar situations to yours.  Having an industry expert guiding your business increases your success while offering you peace of mind.

Hiring an IT consultant allows you to get an outside perspective on your business functions.  We all get stuck in doing things the way in which we have always done them.  For years you may have tracked inventory using pen and paper then inputting it into a program.  This doesn’t mean that this is the most efficient method or even a method that keeps up with the way in which businesses are operating today.  An outside consultant views your business from a whole new perspective than individuals who are immersed in it daily and used to doing things a set way.

Hiring an IT consultant is cost effective. The main “job” of any consultant is to reduce costs and increase efficiency.  Full-time employees are expensive and require a full-time salary, benefits, a work space, and so on.  Consultants on the other hand, are normally hired when a known problem exists and needs to be solved within a very specific time frame which is more cost effective and a better use of employee time.

The list of benefits that come from hiring an IT consultant can go on and on.  If you find that your business has become stagnant and you are looking for growth, hiring a consultant may be just what your business needs.

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.