Video Cards Repair

Video has two components, the card and the monitor. Video cards just keep on getting better and better, faster and faster, higher and higher resolution. Sometimes when you have a video problem the computer will beep. If the video is embedded on the main board and the video goes out you have two choices. You can change out the main board (if you have a proprietary computer and it is still under warranty then it may be free) or you can install another video card.

Some times the older cards would cause the screen to flicker or change colors unexpectedly. Then again the old monitors would do that also. If you suspect you are having a video problem. the screen is off center, it is fuzzy, it is to dark or to light there are three sources for the problems. One could be the video cable, one could be the card, or it could be the monitor

So you checked your cable, it is tight, you reseated the card, no change still have a fuzzy display. If you have a spare display connect it to your system, if the video isn't fuzzy then you have eliminated the need for a test program, it is the monitor. If it is still fuzzy then you eliminated the monitor, it is the card.

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Power Supply Repair

Power supplies are one of the most reliable components in your computer. With only one moving part and a design to compensate for heat the power supply should out last the rest of your computer. Power supply failure is catastrophic, by that I mean it is either working or not working. There is no post or beep code, nada, the computer will not start. Most power supplies have a label on them that give you the wattage and maybe a manufacture with a part number.

If you have to replace a power supply because of failure I suggest you go to a higher wattage power supply. Next you want to look at the connectors. The connectors are two types, the mother board power connector and the accessories power connectors (connectors for drives, fans, etc.). Some ATX power supplies also come with the SATA power connectors. The main power connector will be the AT (almost obsolete) or ATX, the AT has 20 pins, the ATX has 24 of pins. Next you need to know the dimensions of the power supply, if you purchase a power supply that is to big to fit into the bay the old one came out of you will have to return it and get the correct size

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Repair Hard Drive

Most components in your system are expensive, the hard drive is no exception. Before we get to the actual replacement or upgrade, we need to know what type of drive your have. Is it a SATA or IDE Drive ? Each have different connectors for both the drive controller cable and the power connection.

To replace of a hard drive is a fairly simple procedur. Remember ESD will kill it before you get a chance to power it up. Open the case, look at the old drive (check the CD section for steps) note the cable positions. Disconnect the cables, remove the drive. IDE only

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How Do You Clean The Keyboard

Keyboard and mouse are the cheapest component for the computer. They are also the most abused components. Because these components are so cheap it is better to replace than repair

To clean the keyboard, With the computer off (you don't want to be pressing those keys with the computer on) use the brush to move the gunk to an area where the air can blow it out of the keyboard. The paint brush will get under the keys if you apply slight pressure. If the keys are just dirty with normal use you can clean them with a damp cloth, you can find window cleaner works best, do not spray the cleaner on the keyboard, spray the cloth and use it to wipe the keys

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