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The desktop computer is the mainstay of computing. When it comes to modern-day computers, the desktop is the powerhouse by which other styles are compared. Because of their large case, the desktop can fit more airflow and cooling components within it, which in turn allows for more powerful processors and memory to be used. Heat is the main problem for computers, and with ample space to deal with that heat, the desktop is always on the leading edge of new technology. As soon as that new graphics card or new processor comes out, you can be sure someone is upgrading it into their desktop.
The greatest part of the desktop is the standardization that has come along with it. For a while in its early years, manufacturers were building computers with different internal layouts. In 1995, Intel released the ATX standard which has remained strong ever since. This standardization means that your computer looks just about the same as anyone else’s on the inside. It also means part manufacturers and component manufacturers know exactly how their product will fit into a computer, yielding a diverse product range. For the end-user (that’s us) we get the benefit of a wide variety of desktops, parts and upgrades. The desktop computer is the most upgrade-able computer in the market today. That kind of customization allows for power packed desktops at great prices.
The only downside to the desktop is its size. The larger size means it is less portable. So the power you get comes at the cost of having to bear with its name; the desktop, because that’s where it will remain.
When it comes to desktop computer repair, the good news is parts are accessible, easy to come by and easy to diagnose. Because everything is modular, nothing is built into anything else. Every component is individual, and basically plugs into the motherboard. With some expert knowledge and some troubleshooting, we can find the specific problem for any desktop hardware issue. From there, we put our skills to work getting the problem fixed quickly and efficiently.
Most desktops are thought of synonymous with PCs, or Windows. However, the Apple Mac Pro is technically a desktop computer. Many programmers use other operating systems on a desktop computer, so it’s not universal that a desktop is also a Windows machine. When we talk about desktops, it’s the generalization of the towers which have become so common today. It could be a Mac Pro, a custom-built PC or a store-bought desktop. The design allows for easier access and testing of the components, meaning an all around better computer repair process.
If you are having some problems with your desktop computer, please give us a call and talk with one of our expert technicians. We’re always happy to help!
Desktop repair is working on computers which are either towers, flat desk-top cases, custom-built PCs and even some servers. This type of repair is the most basic, in that all the internal components of a desktop are usually separated from each other, and are only connected by cabling. This means when one part goes bad, it’s fairly easy to replace the part and get the computer back in good working condition again.
The components of a desktop are standardized, so they have the same screw hole placement and cabling requirements as other similar parts. Besides the cabling necessary to connect everything, a basic desktop computer comprises of the following parts:
• Case or Tower
• Power Supply
• Motherboard
• RAM or Memory
• Processor or CPU
• CPU Heatsink and Fan
• Hard Drive
• Video Card
• CD/DVD Drive
Additional items would be the operating system, speakers for sound, a monitor for display, and other PCI cards – such as a sound card if the motherboard has no built-in audio.
With those parts assembled, you have a working desktop computer. So when it comes to repair, there aren’t that many choices when the hardware fails. By using our diagnostic skills, we can quickly determine which of those components are causing the problem.
The most common desktop computer repair issues we see are:
• Hard drive failure
• Power supply failure
• Motherboard failure
If your desktop isn’t working correctly, we can fix it. Also, unlike some other places, we can fix tough issues such as motherboard failures without having to replace the entire part.
If your desktop computer is making a lot of noise, such as grinding, clicking, or whining – it’s telling you something is wrong. Much like a car, if something isn’t right, you notice it. In these cases, the best thing to do is to turn off the computer and let us take a look at the problem. Although it could be something as simple as a bad cooling fan, it could also be a problem with your hard drive, which if left untouched, can result in data loss. So if there is anything odd going on with your computer, let us know and we will be glad to help.
If you have any questions about desktop repair or would like to talk with us, please give us a call and speak with one of our expert technicians! We’re here to help!
The common complaint is, “It just won’t power on.” For a desktop computer, this is usually a power supply failure. The power supply located in every desktop computer is constantly converting your household alternating current into direct current power. Computers don’t run on AC power, they run on DC power, and that means the power supply is working hard every minute the computer is on.
• Diagnose the computer to determine the problem
• Provide you with a price quote for parts and labor
• Disconnect all power supply wires from motherboard and drives
• Remove the bad power supply
• Install the new power supply, reconnect all wires and test
Although many times the cause is a bad power supply, many times it is something else. For example, one reason the computer won’t power on might be the motherboard. This is a whole different computer repair issue. Because of this, our diagnostics check everything to make sure we’re replacing the right part. Nothing would be worse than replacing the power supply to find out it’s something else, wasting time and money on something unnecessary.
There are lots of power supplies out there, and they are rated by their maximum combined wattage. Although you do want to make sure you have enough watts to power your computer, one thing to note is that the computer itself will only pull the amount of power it needs. This means you can’t get too much power out of your power supply, as the computer itself regulates how much it uses. This is good news, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of a replacement. Unless you are a gamer with a high-end machine, most desktop computer power supplies can be replaced with a cost-effective quality new part to get the computer powered up and running again. When performing a power supply replacement, we clean the dust from inside your desktop!
Your computer’s motherboard is the connection point for all the other devices in the computer. It has ports for nearly everything – more than you probably use. From audio output to hard drive ports, CD/DVD drives and processors, even power connectors for the system fan, the motherboard is Grand Central Station for your computer. Really, the only independent part of your computer is the power supply providing power to the motherboard and other parts. Because everything relies on the motherboard, it is the last thing you want to fail. It can become one of the more difficult repairs depending on part availability and compatibility. One of the big issues we see are bad capacitors or “bad caps”. This means the capacitors on the motherboard have burst open. The capacitors regulate power flow, and so bad caps can yield all sorts of odd issues. Of course, this isn’t the only problem with motherboards – they are so complex and have so many microchips and components that it could be anything. That’s where we come in; we have the experience and tools to diagnose the issue with your desktop to get it repaired quickly, accurately and efficiently. A motherboard failure isn’t the end of the world and our technicians will let you know what your options are if this happens. Some of the things we check for:
• Bulging capacitors
• Heat output of processor
• Voltage levels from power supply
• Updated BIOS version
• Condition of connecting cables
If you have any questions about desktop repair, or computer repair in general, please give us a call to speak with one of our expert technicians!