This is a topic that I revisit at least once a year - partly because the technology is changing rapidly and partly because I continue to run into very sad stories with customers who have lost the only copy they have of someone's life story or the only pictures of grandma or someone else who has passed on or the manuscript they have slaved over for months or years.
Any reader of this column knows that I always end it with advice to backup anything important, but what are the best ways to backup? How often? How many backups should I have? Where should they be stored?
For my business clients, I recommend they have a continuous backup or "mirror" hard drive that is always making a duplicate copy of everything they do and everything they save. I also recommend an "off-site" backup that is either continuous (such as Carbonite, Mozy or Crashplan) or a physical backup they take with them at the end of each day. For most individuals, the cost is a concern, but there are many things you can do that cost very little and can give you a high level of security.
I do recommend an online backup service like those mentioned above. If your backup needs are not extensive, any of them will do and all cost around $5 per month or less (Crashplan is available for as little as $3 per month). Whether or not you take advantage of these systems, you should also make regular backups that are in your possession. These can be done on a flash drive (also called a "thumb" drive) or by writing to CDs or DVDs. If you have larger backup needs you can save your duplicates to an external hard drive. All of these options are available at any of the electronics/computer shops and big box stores in the area.
All of these have one basic weakness - the backup can be lost or destroyed easily. CDs and DVDs can get scratched or over-written, flash drives are fairly easily corrupted and external hard drives will all eventually crash - it is the nature of systems with electronics and/or moving parts. The way to be confident you are protected is to have multiple backups. I recommend at least two of anything important with one of them being off-site (either on-line or in another location such as your home or office or another computer). For things that are ultra critical, I recommend no less than three copies of all important files.
It may cost you a little bit extra, but you will be happy you did it if your hard drive or computer ever crashes or is destroyed or stolen so, as always, remember to make sure you have a backup of anything important.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Buying "Refurbished" Computers
Refurbished is a term used for computers that were intended for or used for something and then were cleaned up, reset to factory specifications and resold to a different user. Depending on the company supplying these units, you can get very good deals or you can get a real lemon.
My favorite refurb company is Dell. They only consider new or very briefly used computers for their program. Their new computers in this program may have very slight cosmetic blemishes (scratch and dent) or they may have been ordered, configured and prepared for shipping or actually shipped to a customer only to have the order cancelled or not paid for and returned. Rather than take it all apart or try to wait for someone to order that exact configuration, they place it in the refurb department for sale at a good discount. The other computers in this program are ones which were sent to a customer and had some type of problem, either with the machine or with the customer's satisfaction with the machine. They are returned to Dell and replaced. The returned unit is checked extensively for any problems (which are corrected) and the software and operating system are reset to factory specifications. All of these units carry a full new one year computer warranty just like any other new computer. The nice part is that you can save up to $100 or more on the price of the same computer ordered through the regular system. I have purchased dozens of these for my customers and have only had two fail in any way (one was just a fan that was noisy). Dell promptly replaced both units - in one case sending me one even better than the one I originally ordered.
Other companies that have a refurb program occasionally offer computers similar to Dell's program, but usually they are actually used and/or off-lease computers that have been in use for several months or even a year or two. (Dell also has an off-lease program, but it is separate from the refurb program.) They are also reset to factory specifications and reset to the original operating system and software. Any obvious problems are taken care of and they typically offer a three month warranty with additional warranty time available for added cost. You can find good deals of this type from Hewlett Packard, Gateway and a few others, usually through outlets like Staples, Best Buy, Tiger Direct and other mass market sellers. I don't like these programs as well as the Dell system, but if you are careful, there are good deals to be had.
Another type of refurbished computer is the type you get from a repair shop. Technicians like me often end up with trade-in or discarded computers and computer parts. We can repair and improve some of those computers and set them up with Operating Systems and software. Then we test them for reliability and usability and sell them or give them away to needy people or organizations. The cost is much less than a comparable new computer and can even be free for older, less powerful systems. If you need help with this, give me a call and I can steer you in the right direction.
My favorite refurb company is Dell. They only consider new or very briefly used computers for their program. Their new computers in this program may have very slight cosmetic blemishes (scratch and dent) or they may have been ordered, configured and prepared for shipping or actually shipped to a customer only to have the order cancelled or not paid for and returned. Rather than take it all apart or try to wait for someone to order that exact configuration, they place it in the refurb department for sale at a good discount. The other computers in this program are ones which were sent to a customer and had some type of problem, either with the machine or with the customer's satisfaction with the machine. They are returned to Dell and replaced. The returned unit is checked extensively for any problems (which are corrected) and the software and operating system are reset to factory specifications. All of these units carry a full new one year computer warranty just like any other new computer. The nice part is that you can save up to $100 or more on the price of the same computer ordered through the regular system. I have purchased dozens of these for my customers and have only had two fail in any way (one was just a fan that was noisy). Dell promptly replaced both units - in one case sending me one even better than the one I originally ordered.
Other companies that have a refurb program occasionally offer computers similar to Dell's program, but usually they are actually used and/or off-lease computers that have been in use for several months or even a year or two. (Dell also has an off-lease program, but it is separate from the refurb program.) They are also reset to factory specifications and reset to the original operating system and software. Any obvious problems are taken care of and they typically offer a three month warranty with additional warranty time available for added cost. You can find good deals of this type from Hewlett Packard, Gateway and a few others, usually through outlets like Staples, Best Buy, Tiger Direct and other mass market sellers. I don't like these programs as well as the Dell system, but if you are careful, there are good deals to be had.
Another type of refurbished computer is the type you get from a repair shop. Technicians like me often end up with trade-in or discarded computers and computer parts. We can repair and improve some of those computers and set them up with Operating Systems and software. Then we test them for reliability and usability and sell them or give them away to needy people or organizations. The cost is much less than a comparable new computer and can even be free for older, less powerful systems. If you need help with this, give me a call and I can steer you in the right direction.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Broken Laptop Screens
The first time I purchased a laptop computer, I had owned it about two months when I made a big mistake. I had been taking notes from some web sites and I set the pencil on my keyboard. A few minutes later, I closed the screen and heard a cracking sound. Yes, I had broken the screen.
At that time, replacing the screen was very expensive - about $450 for the part and about an hour and a half labor. It's not as bad now, but it is still quite expensive. Prices range from $60-$120 for used screens (if you can find them for your product) to a range of $100-$250 for new ones (depending on size, brand and availability). It still takes about an hour and a half to replace the screen if you know how, or it will usually cost you about $50-$60, depending on the tech you have do it. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, be sure to follow the technical service manual instructions for your make and model. Laptops are intricately wired so as to fit all that capability in a small, flat area. If you don't get everything back where it goes or if you break a wire while you are assembling/disassembling the unit, you may have another hefty repair bill to add to the first one. It is also important to remember that, in addition to unplugging the laptop before you work on it, you must also remove the battery and make sure you are grounded electrically so you don't damage any of the components by touching them.
If your screen is not actually broken, but has gone dark, it is often the back-light that has failed. The parts for this repair usually cost between $70 and $120 and labor is about the same as the broken screen replacement. In all cases, you must have the exact replacement part or it will likely not work.
Another solution that can be useful (if you don't care too much about the portability issue) is to simply add an external monitor to your laptop. Most modern laptops will sense the monitor and send the display to it. You may need to adjust it for a correct fit, but it can save you quite a bit. Monitors range from $95 - $250, depending on size. They come in 17, 19, 20, 22 and 23 inch sizes and have a variety of sharpness and clarity ratings. The only drawback is that you would have to carry the monitor around with you if you travel with your computer.
I generally don't encourage people to buy extended warranties because they usually cost more that you would likely spend on repairs. One exception is the laptop - but be sure that any extended warranty you buy covers accidental damage because broken screens are almost always considered accidental damage. Then you have to weigh the cost/benefit of having the warranty. It has helped my daughter. Her children have broken her computer 3 times and she is glad for the protection she paid for.
Remember, stay safe - and make sure you have a backup of anything important.
At that time, replacing the screen was very expensive - about $450 for the part and about an hour and a half labor. It's not as bad now, but it is still quite expensive. Prices range from $60-$120 for used screens (if you can find them for your product) to a range of $100-$250 for new ones (depending on size, brand and availability). It still takes about an hour and a half to replace the screen if you know how, or it will usually cost you about $50-$60, depending on the tech you have do it. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, be sure to follow the technical service manual instructions for your make and model. Laptops are intricately wired so as to fit all that capability in a small, flat area. If you don't get everything back where it goes or if you break a wire while you are assembling/disassembling the unit, you may have another hefty repair bill to add to the first one. It is also important to remember that, in addition to unplugging the laptop before you work on it, you must also remove the battery and make sure you are grounded electrically so you don't damage any of the components by touching them.
If your screen is not actually broken, but has gone dark, it is often the back-light that has failed. The parts for this repair usually cost between $70 and $120 and labor is about the same as the broken screen replacement. In all cases, you must have the exact replacement part or it will likely not work.
Another solution that can be useful (if you don't care too much about the portability issue) is to simply add an external monitor to your laptop. Most modern laptops will sense the monitor and send the display to it. You may need to adjust it for a correct fit, but it can save you quite a bit. Monitors range from $95 - $250, depending on size. They come in 17, 19, 20, 22 and 23 inch sizes and have a variety of sharpness and clarity ratings. The only drawback is that you would have to carry the monitor around with you if you travel with your computer.
I generally don't encourage people to buy extended warranties because they usually cost more that you would likely spend on repairs. One exception is the laptop - but be sure that any extended warranty you buy covers accidental damage because broken screens are almost always considered accidental damage. Then you have to weigh the cost/benefit of having the warranty. It has helped my daughter. Her children have broken her computer 3 times and she is glad for the protection she paid for.
Remember, stay safe - and make sure you have a backup of anything important.
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. I am dedicated to sharing technology information - especially about computers and related topics. I will post articles regularly and also try to answer tech questions. This is also a forum for you to ask and help answer questions so enjoy. Rules are that you may not disrespect another poster and you must stay away from foul or suggestive language. This must be a safe place for all readers. Those who break this rule will have their posts deleted and repeat offenders will be banned. This blog is supported by www.bitsnbytescomputers.com and www.musicomp.net . Enjoy!
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