In the best scenario, you buy a computer with everything needed installed on it and you can use it for a long time without problems. However, this is usually not the case. We all have to deal with unexplained errors and failures every once in a while. Should you call in a computer technician immediately or are there a few things that you should try by yourself to solve the problem? This depends on the problems that are occurring. Some minor problems can easily be solved by the users, while an error message saying that there is a motherboard failure definitely needs the attention of an IT expert.

When you receive messages that your computer does not have enough memory to run an application, it does not always mean that you need to buy more memory. Some programs that use memory do not give it back when done. This is one of the many design limitations of Microsoft. Use the Task Manager to close ‘hidden’ programs and free memory for programs that are in use.

Memory errors are also often created by misinterpretations of the operating system. Run a virus checker that is up to date and see if this solves the problem.

A very common and often occurring problem is freezing of the computer. The applications are not responding anymore and everything runs in slow motion. The main reason of this is poor maintenance. Learn to use Ctrl+Alt+Del. This is not going to shut down everything completely as in the old days. Instead, it makes the Task Manager appear. Here you can see all the applications that are running. Find the one(s) that don not respond and choose ‘end now’.

Another simple solution for common problems as slow motion and freezing is rebooting. By shutting down and restarting the computer, programs are closed properly and fresh copies of the files that are needed to run the operating system are reloaded.

Of course this does not solve all the computer problems and definitely not the reasons why the problems occurred. After a crash you should practice ScanDisk on the computer to find and solve basic problems. ScanDisk can be found in the Start menu under Accessories and System Tools. In Windows XP, you need to go to ‘My Computer’, right-click on C:, click on ‘Properties’, click the ‘Tools’ tab and ‘Check Now’.

Another thing that should be done regularly and definitely after a crash is Defragmentation. When you use a computer longer, the files become spread out over the whole hard drive. The computer needs to work very hard to find them back. The defragmentation function puts related files close to each other and speeds up the computer considerably. This function can normally be found right next to the ScanDisk.

Having connection problems? Or does it seem that the internet is down? Try other sites first, to see if the problem lies with your connection or with the website that you try to visit. Restarting the browser or the computer does also solve many problems that look as if coming from the connection.

Your computer crashed, but you never saved the file. Now what? Your file is probably not lost. If you have AutoRecover turned on, it will have saved the file for you. In MSWord, the AutoRecover can be turned on from ‘Tools’ and ‘Options’. Check AutoRecover on the ‘Save’ tab.

In the case that AutoRecover was not turned on when the computer crashed, all is not lost yet. The file could be recovered from the temporary files. Go to ‘Find’, ‘files and folders’ in the Start Menu. Search in C: for a file named *.wbk. When you recognize it from the time and size, you can change the extension to .doc. Do this by right-clicking on the file and choose rename. Now you can open de document in Words again.

Have you tried all things that you can think of and your computer problems are still not solved, then it is time to call in the experts. The best computer repairs services will come to your house or office and repair the computer onsite on the same day. When they arrive, try to help them identify the problem by keeping records of everything that you have tried and the results of it. When possible it would help the technicians if you made a screenshot as a record. The screenshot shows the exact error message, with the code numbers and this is very helpful information for the computer repairs expert. It also captures all the applications that are open at the time of the error. Make a screenshot by hitting the Print Screen button and paste this into Microsoft Paint (open this from ‘Programs’, ‘Accessories’). You can print the screenshot out to save you and the IT expert time and money.

Finding the best approach to computer repairs in Brisbane and across Australia can be especially challenging. Follow these tips and advice first so you are well prepared before you contact a same day computer repairs service in your local area."