Free Computer Consultant Tip-Of-The-Week for June 5, 2009
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"What to do when your computer goes poof!"

In the last 2 weeks of May, I have had 2 client computers go poof!

Get this, BOTH died EXACTLY 3 Years from the day I installed them!

Fortunately, both will likely have the parts replaced under warranty,
but that will take some time. Businesses like to have their PC's
running 100% of the time.

So what do you do when you smell smoke or hear a crackling sound
from the PC?

1. Unplug it. Hopefully your work is already saved.
2. Do NOT turn it over to a technician if there is data you want on
the hard drive unless you get IN WRITING that they will NOT do
anything to the hard drive without recovering your data first.

Chances are that there is no damage to the hard drive.

If you can get your data yourself first, all the better.

I have written before of repair services that will automatically
format the hard drive with a standard initial build - so they
know it will work - even if they are only repairing a hinge or
catch on a laptop.

One of the videos noted in recent blog entries below shows how
you can EASILY hook up almost any hard drive to the USB port of
another PC to retrieve data.

Computer power supplies over the last couple of years have been
notorious for being CHEAP and going bad. (Years ago they almost
never went bad on me.)

I had a brand new one from a name brand supplier go poof after
five minutes of usage just a few weeks ago. It's practically
an epidemic.

It's no wonder that vendors are running specials on power supplies
almost every week.

With online backup services cheap, and sometimes free, there's no
excuse not to have your data backed up when your PC goes poof!

Mozy Online Backup Free Trial (up to 2GB completely free)
http://www.freecomputerconsultant.com/go/mozy-free-trial/

Carbonite Free Trial
http://www.freecomputerconsultant.com/go/carbonite-free-trial/

Keep It! Online
http://www.kqzyfj.com/2n117kjspjr6998E997687DBDFC7?sid=Newsletter

Until next time...

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You can keep up with articles I write and videos I create,
for the most part, at:
http://www.AssociatedContent.com/freecomputerconsultant

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Recent Blog entries:

Crucial Technical Support Phone Number
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/crucial-technical-support-phone-number/ >

Another Reason to Turn Off Automatic Updates
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/another-reason-to-turn-off-automatic-updates/ >

Download and Convert Real Media Audio Streams
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/download-and-convert-real-media-audio-streams/ >

Dump MSConfig in Favor of Autoruns
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/dump-msconfig-in-favor-of-autoruns/ >

Flip Camera Coupon Makes It Cheapest On Internet
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/flip-camera-coupon-makes-it-cheapest-on-internet/ >

Vantec USB SATA / IDE Hard Drive Adapter
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/vantec-usb-sata-ide-hard-drive-adapter/ >

How To Replace A Laptop Hard Drive
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/how-to-replace-a-laptop-hard-drive/ >

Make Windows XP Look Like Vista or Windows 7
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/make-windows-xp-look-like-vista-or-windows-7/ >

When the Hard Drive Talks, Listen
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/when-the-hard-drive-talks-listen/ >

Backup, Backup, Backup
< http://freecomputerconsultant.com/blog/backup-backup-backup/ >

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http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com