While computers tend to last a long time, they’re still vulnerable to wear and tear after years of heavy usage. A wide range of problems might pop up on an old PC even if it’s taken care of properly. When they do, basic user fixes for maintaining your computer are no longer effective at restoring your computer to optimal performance.
If your PC is a couple of years old and you’re wondering if everything is OK under the casing, here are five computer issues that require tech support if you end up noticing them while using your desktop or laptop.
Presence of a Virus or Malware
Though most antivirus and antimalware software are quite effective at protecting your desktop or laptop from viruses, viruses and malware can still end up finding their way into your device. And the worst part is, they can affect even a brand new PC so severely that it ends up requiring tech support.
Virus and malware can cause a host of major problems for your PC, such as encrypting your drives and locking you out from your device, slowing down your device performance, stealing your user data, and more. This happens because antivirus software requires to be updated to identify a threat. If a new type of malware isn’t in the database, the software will ultimately fail to prevent that threat.
Several Programs or Browser Tabs Open at the Same Time
This might come as a surprise, but regularly keeping multiple programs, apps, and browsers open on your desktop or laptop can do quite a number on the storage drive. Whether it’s a regular hard drive or an SSD, your storage peripheral will end up giving poor performance after the initial one or two years of usage.
Fortunately, the processor, RAM, and power supply of desktops usually aren’t affected by this practice as they are extremely durable. But in the case of laptops, it’s an entirely different story as laptop parts tend to be more durable than desktop parts. Keeping multiple programs and browsers open on laptops also takes a toll on the device’s battery life.
Hard Drive Attaining Its Maximum Limit
Even if you’re not taxing your hard drive by running multiple browsers and apps, storing too many programs, files, video games, and other media on your hard drive can also result in different hard drive issues. Your hard drive can end up having bad sectors, corrupting files, overheating, and a few other problems.
Defragging and keeping your hard drive at an optimum capacity can alleviate these problems to some degree, but sometimes they need a professional touch. The best way to ensure your important files and documents don’t end up getting lost due to these issues is to try out cloud storage solutions to access them from any device in case something happens to your hard drive.
Auto-Update of Software Overloading the System
Most modern operating systems prioritize and allot significant system resources to auto-update themselves and other software. Though indeed, most OS and software don’t run properly without these updates or miss out on new features, these updates also use a lot of RAM, processor, and hard disk power.
The updates also take up more and more space on your hard drive, taking it closer to its maximum limit without installing or transferring new programs and files. If you find yourself asking ‘why is my computer so slow,’ this might be one of the main reasons. The best approach is to turn off unnecessary updates or install the updates manually.
Too Many Applications Running Simultaneously While the Computer Is Functioning
In most instances, most modern applications attempt to launch and run in the background without users even turning them on. This isn’t very pleasant and can often end up eating a lot of performance from your device when you run power-intensive software and video games. If left unattended, this phenomenon slows the efficiency of the computer renders the system moribund.
Fortunately, you can disable most of them from the task manager, which solves the issue. But sometimes, these software and apps end up eating at your system power consumption and can’t be simply shut down from the task manager. In instances like these, you need to take your computer or laptop to a professional ASAP.
Knowing Is Winning Half the Battle
As long as you know when to let a professional handle the maintenance and repair of your desktop or laptop, it can last you a really long time. You would be surprised to know how many users make things worse by tinkering with the devices by themselves instead of taking professional help. Don’t be that person and know how to maximize your device’s lifespan.