When Computers Go Bad

It's always alarming to turn your computer on and find that something is not working right.  It can be a daunting task to analyze a computer's symptoms and determine how to fix it.  The issue can be compounded by varying degrees of hardware and software compatibility issues.  For casual users, it can be an overwhelming and heartbreaking thing, but it is usually possible for the more well-informed users to mitigate and fix a given issue.

So my computer recently stopped loading Windows, and my initial reaction was of alarm and desperation.  I've had my computer for several years now; it's a Velocity Micro refurbished computer I got from some website (1saleaday.com), which works great for all my needs, but has exhibited odd behavior on occasion (mostly in the form of crashes).  With Windows unable to load after the BIOS, I began to wonder if my hard drives were going bad, or if something in the motherboard is off (now that I think about it, the CMOS battery probably needs to be replaced), or if Windows itself is just screwy.  My temporary solution has been to simply reinstall Windows without reformatting or partitioning the drive; doing so just shoves my personal files to a Windows.old folder, so they can still be salvaged.  Since I wasn't sure about the integrity of my computer and hard drives, I took the time to pull out my hard drives, and use an external HDD docking port to access and back up my files.

My efforts have ensured that I haven't lost any files, and with Windows working temporarily, I was able to finish up a few major projects I was working on (primarily editing my travel videos).  My next plan is to totally revamp my computer, upgrading the motherboard and hard drives and installing Windows from scratch.  Obviously, it'll be work to reinstall all my programs and move my files around, but I expect that new hardware will allow things to be faster, more stable, and more efficient. 

In order to keep things running smoothly, I will need to maintain my computer regularly and diligently follow certain practices.  Below are some tips that can benefit all users, to keep your computers running effectively and prevent them from succumbing to fatal errors.  Chances are that you may know of these things already, but if not, these are practices you should adopt regularly:

• Back up your files regularly, onto an external source like an external hard drive, thumb drive, or optical disk.  I personally prefer to use an external HDD of one or two TB in size, with folders for all my documents, music, video, photos, downloads, saved games, and the like.  I personally don't feel the need to save personal settings for specific programs, but you might have to back those up if you want them.  I also tend to make a backup of the backup, in the event that one of these external drives fails.  Your devices should be easily-accessible, but it is advisable to keep them somewhere safe from damage or theft (like a fireproof box).  Backups in a cloud might be feasible, but I haven't bothered to set up a cloud of any kind.
• Set up a system restore point regularly.  This will allow you to use the Windows restore option, which will restore all your settings to what they were when you set up the restore point.  So if you do have a problem, the restore point can be reloaded and everything should resume working the way it did before you ran across a particular problem.
• Use your security programs.  Anti-virus, anti-malware, and firewalls will help prevent hacks, trojans, worms, and viruses that could otherwise cripple your system or steal your information.  I personally use Bitdefender, which seems to run well, but you also can't go wrong with Norton's.  The best I can recommend is to shop around to see what program will meet your needs and what you're willing to pay for.  You shouldn't rely solely on default programs like Windows Firewall, which only works one way, or Windows Defender, which has limitations.  For whatever program you install, be sure that it updates itself regularly, and don't ignore any alerts it gives out.
• Maintain your updates.  Windows is always updating itself, because it's always being fixed and protected from vulnerabilities.  Individual programs may do the same, and many drivers may need to be updated to enhance your capabilities.  Many of these programs can update themselves, but for those that don't, be sure to visit the vendor's website to see if you have the latest version of that software, and look at your drivers to make sure they're the latest.  Updating everything could even fix problems you may be experiencing.
• Run your disk cleanup at regular times (like every month or every season or so) to delete temporary files and free up some space.
• Run the defragger program often (or the defraggler, which is supposed to be a grade better), which will reduce the amount of file fragments on your disk drive.  Running this annually can help make your CPU more efficient in retrieving your files, and it could free up a little more disk space.  This process can take hours, so it may be ideal to set this up to run overnight.  Defragging works best on magnetic hard drives, and should not be used in flash memory.
• Set up Windows with a login ID and password, and make it a good one.  A strong password should include a mix of alphanumeric characters, upper and lower case, and at least one special character.  The longer it is the better it can be, but the password should not be a recognizable word or phrase, or something easy to guess.  But you should still be able to type it easily and remember it.  The best thing is to take a word or phrase and split it up with numbers and special characters.  I even use foreign names as the basis for a password, making it exceptionally hard to decipher.  These disciplines can be helpful for any password you need, and passwords for each device and website should be different.
• Encrypt your network.  WiFi routers may come with a password already set up, but it may be helpful to change the password to something stronger to deter attackers or people leeching off of your bandwidth.  If it doesn't, it can probably be setup by accessing your router (try localhost in a web browser's address bar).
• If it isn't obvious, you should be diligent in protecting your personal information while browsing around the Internet.  Do not advertise your full name, address, contact details, or bank information on public forums, Facebook, or other places where people can easily find it.  Do not trust e-mails claiming to be from companies, governments, or other places asking for your personal information, as these could be phishing e-mails with links that can upload viruses to you or fields to steal your information (if you're in doubt, contact the sender directly through their official contact details, and not through the e-mail).  If anybody calls you asking to access your computer's event task list, hang up.  Do your best to remain anonymous and guarded online.  Some users may desire to use proxy servers, but following all the other advice here should keep you safe from being attacked.

If something does happen and your computer exhibits troubling or fatal issues, your backups should save you from losing too much of your work.  If not, you can still salvage your hard drive's data by removing it from your CPU and using something like a docking station or SATA-to-USB cable to connect it to another computer.  If your hard drive to very badly corrupted, there may be forensic programs available somewhere that can retrieve lost files (I used to have one for images; the best I can recommend is to google for such programs).

When you're certain that your files are backed-up and secure, you can then start troubleshooting and fixing your system.  You will need to determine if your issue is hardware-based or software-based, all depending on the symptoms your computer is displaying.  You will need to do some basic tests, such as starting and restarting your computer, installing and uninstalling things, to determine possible causes.  Windows has some basic troubleshooting prompts which may or may not be helpful, and the Internet is crammed full of stories and advice that can further help you.

Computers may be complex machines, but in the end, they're all just motherboards connected to hard drives and boards, with an OS and oodles of programs.  Regular maintenance, backups, and security practices can help keep your system safe, but even when it breaks down, it can be saved with the right tools and the right guidance.