Laptops Page
There are more laptops made and sold today than ever before. Laptops are great in many ways. However, there are some things you should be aware of when owning these state-of-the-art computers.
Remember, that same processing power that is in that larger desktop or mini-tower is also inside the laptop. While a desktop can dispel that heat much faster using the internal fans inside the case, those same components are inside that laptop. That confined space means those components generate almost the same amount of heat, but in a smaller confined area. That limited space can cause more stress on the internal components, thus causing it to breakdown much more quickly.
While it is impressive to show your friends, family, or that business customer that you have a laptop, they need to be handled with care!!
I've seen literally thousands of these portable computers over the years I've been in tech support. With that experience, I've noticed some critical things happen during that time frame. Most people have not thought of or were aware of what can happen when they are mishandled. So here are some suggestions for you to consider following.
1. Avoid moving the laptop when it is on.
The hard drive has a spinning disk in it. If you move the laptop while it is on, you could damage this hard drive. Many times it could stop it from spinning, thereby rendering the laptop useless. Data can be lost and you now have a computer that does not work. Then you realize you can no longer work from home, give that sales presentation, etc. because you need to have it repaired. The even greater loss is you may have just lost your data that took hundreds of hours to accumulate over the days, weeks, and months.
2. Properly shutdown the laptop.
Many times it is a temptation to just close the lid (like they do in the movies) and put it into the laptop bag. All this does is put the laptop into sleep or hibernate mode, depending on how it is setup.
Sometimes people will shutdown the laptop and place it in the bag. But if Windows hangs up and doesn't completely shutdown, it is still on.
Why are both these a potential problem? There are two reasons.
1. The laptop could still be on. That means the CPU is on and generating heat. Being in the confined space inside the bag, the laptop could overheat.
2. If the laptop is still on and the hard drive is still spinning. All it takes is a small shock or jolt to damage it. That would include accidentally bumping or possibly dropping it while it's inside the bag. Most laptop bags are designed to protect the laptop while it is off, not when it is on.
3. Windows will not shut down.
There are times when the laptop will not shut down properly. If this happens, wait a few minutes for Windows to shut down properly. If it doesn't turn itself off, simply remove the battery. That will power off the laptop if the AC adapter is not connected to it.
What usually causes this to happen is Windows sees there are files that have not completely closed yet. So it waits for until those files close. Sometimes these program files do not close for various reasons. If this happens, try doing the following;
1. Run the Windows updates on a regular basis. To get these updates, go to "Tools/Windows Updates" in Internet Explorer. If you have Microsoft Office installed too, you might be able to download the updates for Office through "Windows Updates". If not, you can get those updates by looking under the "Help" menu.
2. Check for updates for ALL your programs. They are usually located under the "Help" menu in that program. You can also check under "Preferences" menu too. If you don't see them there, check else where in the program or go to the manufactures web site of that program. They usually may updates available via the Internet.
If you find your laptop is not shutting down on a regular basis, it could be a sign that there are other problems. Contact the manufacturer of the computer or seek the help of a trained computer professional. As the old saying goes, "an ounce of preventation is worth a pound of cure"!!!
4. Backup your data
We all have done it. Something happened to your computer and it suddenly doesn't work anymore. It won't boot up and sometimes it just simply can't be repaired. If you have data on the laptop, you are in trouble, unless you have a backup copy of it.
Today it is easier to backup your data than ever before. If you are on a network, you can place a copy of them on your companies shared or personal drives. If you have your own laptop, you can backup your data files and favorites to either an external hard drive through your USB port or to one of those small, what is called, a "flash" or "memory" drives.
Make sure you know where your data is being saved. You will find it is much easier to back up your important files that are in one or two locations than when they are scattered throughout the entire C drive.
Data on your laptop
Keep your data in your "My Documents" folder. Having the actual files on your desktop can possibly slow down the performance of Windows!
If you happen to access a file or files on a regular basis, then just create a shortcut of the file and place it on the desktop. To do this, simply right click directly on the file in the "My Documents" folder, then "send to", then "desktop (create shortcut)". That's it!! Your shortcut should appear on your desktop.
6. Warranty
If you just purchased a new laptop or will be, buy the extended warranty!! A laptop has a much greater potential for needing parts replaced and serviced than a desktop computer. So if your laptop is a very important tool for work or for your studies at a school/college, spend the little extra money and get the warranty. Getting that 3 year warranty can give you the piece of mind knowing you can get it repaired if something fails in it.
Conclusion
Laptops offer many advantages in mobile desktop computing. If you follow the above items, you can extent the useful life of your laptop!!
