Is your computer trying to tell you something? If it has started acting differently in ways such as freezing up, slowing down, or making noise, then you might be right. Computers have a way of sending users a signal that something catastrophic is about to happen to the software, hardware, or all of your data! There are some warning signs you will want to be aware of so you can prevent a computer disaster from happening at your home or office.
They say that “To err is human but to really foul things up, you need a computer.” Well, this is mostly true. Our digital technology is meant to make life easier, but when it stops working or slows down even a little bit it can really cause issues. It is a good idea to regularly inspect your computer and take inventory of how old the working parts are as well as when the last update was installed in the device. These two things can help ward off premature death of your technology. What else should you be wary of? Here are three signs that your computer is trying to tell you that it needs a tune-up.
Strange Noises
Have you noticed lately that your hard drive is making a clicking or whirring noise or that things sound unnaturally loud inside your computer? Traditional hard drives are mechanical, which means that they have moving parts. And just like anything else with moving parts, the pieces can wear out, break down, and stop working. Research from backup company Backblaze found the average life expectancy of a hard drive was three to five years. How old is your computer?
Another potential cause of the noise could be the fan meant to keep the internal parts of your computer from overheating. The fan is a common part that gives way before the rest of the computer has met its lifespan. If your fan is noisy, it could be dust or dirt, or the computer could be working very hard and the fan is running excessively to attempt to cool the system down. Either way you may need to have it cleaned or replaced. Do knot ignore the sound but rather take action so that further damage does not occur.
Sluggish Performance
Is your computer freezing or just running noticeably slower than normal. This, too, is a sign that something is wrong. Start with closing tabs or windows that are currently open. Does that speed things up? Then try a restart that can get your computer moving. If this does not work then you may need to take further steps to prevent a problem. Sluggish performance is a strong indicator of an imminent computer crash. Software glitches or hardware malfunctions are common causes of these crashes, freezes, and slowdowns. See your IT specialist or IT department right away to make them aware of the problem.
Mouse and Monitor Problems
Often mouse and monitor issues are a simple fix when they have merely gotten unplugged from the computer. To check this, follow the cord from the mouse/monitor to the computer plug in location. Be sure the connection is complete and is not even slightly unplugged. Sometimes all it takes is a wiggle. If you have a wireless monitor or mouse be sure the settings on your computer are accurate. You may need to do some testing with a neighboring computer to see if the problem is the connection or the hardware. If all of your testing does not work out then call in your IT department to do some troubleshooting before the problem becomes worse.
Is your computer exhibiting any of these signs of a disaster? If you need help call M&H Consulting at 1-866-964-8324 or visit our website.
Categorised in: antimalware, antispyware, antivirus, computer, Devices, hardware