What to Look Out for When Buying a New Computer or Laptop

Here are a few pointers for beginners on what to look for when buying a laptop computer. Learn to match configurations to suit needs.

Buying a laptop computer is easier now than it was even a couple of years ago. Most manufacturing companies have sales representatives who advertize their products aggressively. Companies rush to entice new customers, the flurry of offers and wide choices they present leave the common man confused. This article contains a few guidelines on what to look for when choosing a computer for personal needs.

Why Buy a Laptop Computer?

Laptops or notebooks are lightweight portable devices that are handy in logging on to the internet, keeping in touch with family, friends and colleagues over long distances, booking tickets online, playing online games or even as a viable means of livelihood for many. It is the fact that laptops can be carried around even while moving outside city limits, and yet remain connected to the world, that attracts potential customers to them.

To know what to buy one must know what their requirements are. For instance, students studying outside their home towns will most definitely benefit from having their own laptops to do their homework and stay connected with parents over Skype or other messenger services. The elderly may need one to play games, shop, stay connected with friends, do online research and stay abreast with the world.

In these scenarios, the laptop must definitely come with a webcam and an inbuilt microphone system. For photographers, the ports that are integrated into the system (like fire wire ports, the SD cards, and USB ports) are of prime importance so that they are able to upload pictures on their laptops as and when they want to. For high end users the configuration will be more sophisticated and expensive.

Points to Remember

·         Memory: Most laptop computers come with 2 GB to 4 GB memory; therefore choosing one within this range will not be difficult.

·         Higher memory will be required if work is done on a lot of windows and games, movies and downloads are taking place simultaneously.

·         Storage space: Most hard drives will also come with the latest 160 GB to 1 TB (5200 rpm or 7200 rpm).

·         One needs to look only at the hard drive size, depending on whether one would like to store games, pictures or movies, in which case a bigger hard drive is preferable. To merely check emails and access online facilities a 160 GB hard drive will suffice.

·         Graphics cards: Considering upgrades from the default ones will depend on whether the consumer will need the computer for high end use like designing and playing games.

·         Optical drives: Most of the CD/DVD drives offered are dual layer reader writer combos and an upgrade for a Blu-ray drive is optional.

·          LightScribe (http://www.ehow.com/how_6456702_laser-engrave-cds.html) is a new technology to custom label the cover for CDs, which again is optional.

·         Screen size: Deciding upon a suitable screen size will depend on the purpose of buying the laptop. Watching movies and painting will require larger screen size.

·         However, larger screen sizes make the computers heavier and less portable.

·         Ports: USB, IEEE and RJ 45 and RJ 11 are most often present on all laptops, but it is a good idea to be sure. A VGA or HDMI needs to be considered if viewing is done on parallel screens.

·         Another thing to consider is the internet connection; whether the manufacturing companies have tie ups with DSL, cable or mobile broadband companies.

·         TV tuner cards are a good addition if one wants to watch TV on a laptop.

A couple of things buyers may want to consider are the deals on warranties and free accessories and the financing deals offered by various manufacturing companies. Opting for credit facility should not leave anyone feeling dissatisfied. Warranty specifications should not be neglected and timely warranty extensions should be availed for a hassle-free computer using experience.

Troubleshooting Steps for the Blue Screen of Death

The blue screen of death is a source of concern for all computer users. BSOD may occur when the computer shuts down for no apparent reason and on switching it back on gives a blue screen with an error message. This may be a grave cause for concern as it indicates that Windows has encountered a serious problem and important data may be lost. Here are a few pointers to prevent computer crashes and to retrieve data stored on the hard drive, should such an issue happen.

Causes of Blue Screen

When new hardware, software or drivers have been installed incorrectly, or Windows faces a problem in recognizing them, it shuts down “to prevent damage”. On restart it gives an error code known as the STOP code. BSOD or the Windows Stop Error codes are of different types depending on the root cause for the abrupt shut down.

It is best to note down the error code for future reference in case this issue does not get resolved at home and a technician has to be called in for repairs. However, a technician is not always needed to resolve a problem of this kind. It is perhaps a good idea to shut down the computer and take it off of the power supply before attempting to remove any recent hardware changes made to the computer. The hardware could vary from a printer, hard drive, memory cards or even graphics cards.

If no known additions has been made to the computer, its best to shut it down and restart. If it reboots normally into the operating system or the Windows interface, one must back up any data that they wish to store. It also indicates that the operating system files are not causing the BSOD. After the data has been backed up, the system needs to be scanned for damaged hardware or corrupted files.

Diagnostic Mode in Laptop Computers

There are in-built tests to check the proper functioning of hardware components. For example, Dell computers have the option to start up in the diagnostic mode by pressing the Function or Fn key while powering up. The diagnostic mode for a desktop can be accessed by pressing F8 during start up. Similar tests are available for all other computers.

In case, the laptop or personal computer does not reboot in the normal mode and gives the same error, shut it down again and remove all peripherals like printers or scanners. After restarting, one needs to immediately tap F8 a few times to reach Advanced Boot Options. Pressing the down arrow key brings up the safe mode option.

System Restore as a Crash Fix

 If it boots in safe mode, the issue is with the software and can probably be reversed by selecting the system restore option from accessibility in Windows Xp or just typing the words “system restore” for Windows Vista or Win 7. It is best to back up all important data and then proceed with the troubleshooting. System restore allows the computer to reconfigure itself to a time before this error occurred and reverse all changes that could have caused the BSOD.

After reaching the Windows desktop, one must proceed to test hardware and software components for correct diagnosis of the problem. It is recommended that a technician with relevant experience of troubleshooting such issues be called to service the computer for faults. This way important data will be saved and the problem resolved sooner.

Data Backup and Antivirus Protection

If none of the above mentioned trouble shooting steps work, a technician needs to be consulted, right away. There is no need for anxiety if the data is backed up periodically as that will cause minimal damage. Anti-virus programs must be updated regularly. Any hardware or software changes made to the computer need to be monitored during installation.

These are precautionary measures to reduce damage in case BSOD does occur and are applicable for most blue screen issues. However, BSODs may be caused by viruses and these steps may not be sufficient to resolve the issue.  System restore is a good way to undo changes made to software and drivers and will save time and anxiety till the technician arrives.

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