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Sometimes, all the hardware can be in working order and all the software configured correctly, yet something still doesn’t work correctly. It is as if you’ve fixed everything but Windows doesn’t quite realize it. Occasionally in these cases, the problem might go away spontaneously. The point here is that despite all the advancements, computers are still far from perfect. As we said earlier, if diagnosing and fixing a problem is taking more time than it’s worth, it is usually best to back up the user data, format the hard drive, and start over again.

By : Book-PC Repair and Maintenance: A Practical Guide

It is unfortunately common for liquid to be spilled on laptops. Rescuing such a laptop is a dicey proposition. Success depends on a number of factors, such as the type and quantity of liquid spilled, the steps taken after the spill, and how fast those steps were taken. The proper steps to take are immediately disconnecting the power, removing the battery, and turning the machine over. Never try to power on the machine until it has been serviced doing so will almost guarantee that the computer will be ruined.

To rescue the laptop, disassemble it. There are some instructions, but because there is such variation in laptops, you’ll probably want to consult the manufacturer’s Web page for instructions. You’ll find that some manufacturers provide better instructions than others do. IBM and Dell tend to provide detailed disassembly/reassembly instructions. Soak up any remaining liquid with an absorbent material such as paper towels, hold the computer at an angle, and spray liberally with an electronic contact cleaner that is safe for plastics, such as Blow Off Contact Cleaner (blowoff.com). Spray every nook and cranny in the machine except inside disk drives. Allow the unit to dry, and then reassemble. Then, reconnect power and attempt to boot. If it doesn’t work, it is probably wise to give up, although you should try to connect the hard drive to another machine to back up the data (see “Magnetic Disk Drives,” for more information).

By : Book-PC Repair and Maintenance: A Practical Guide

System state data consists of the registry files and many OS files. A recent System State data backup on a Windows 2000 machine created a 241MB file. Back up System State data by using Windows Backup (Start > Run > ntbackup, or Start > Programs (or All Programs) > Accessories > System Tools > Backup). If you use the Backup Wizard, you have the option of backing up the entire or parts of the system, or only the System State data.

If there is a recent backup of System State data, restoring it is the next step to take if using the ERD fails. If Windows is still running, open Backup and follow the instructions to restore the System State data. If not, you’ll have to reinstall Windows, perhaps on a new hard drive, and then perform the restore.

By : Book-PC Repair and Maintenance: A Practical Guide